Congressman Peter Welch Signs the Campaign to Fix the Debt's Citizen's Petition

Vermont Representative Encourages Constituents to Join the Call for Bipartisan Debt Reduction

BURLINGTON, Vt., Nov. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, U.S. Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) endorsed the Campaign to Fix the Debt's "Citizen's Petition," which calls on elected officials to seek a bipartisan agreement to avert the rapidly approaching "fiscal cliff" and put our national debt on a sustainable course.

The Campaign to Fix the Debt, a non-partisan grassroots coalition of business leaders and CEOs, former Members of Congress, and everyday concerned citizens, launched the Citizen's Petition in August. Since then, the petition has garnered nearly 300,000 signatures from supporters in all 50 states.

The petition urges Congress and the President to reach a bipartisan agreement that will gradually reduce the size of our national debt relative to our economy, thereby reducing our reliance on foreign governments and bolstering job creation here at home. The Petition gives Americans a ready tool to demand solutions based on common sense and common ground.

"The Citizen's Petition reflects Vermont's spirit of pragmatism and across-the-board cooperation," Rep. Welch said this week. "I applaud the Campaign to Fix the Debt for calling attention to one of the country's most pressing problems, our ballooning national debt, and for urging policymakers to find practical solutions. The momentum behind the Campaign's efforts demonstrates that Americans across the political spectrum believe that Congress needs to work together for the good of the nation. If we don't address the debt problem now, America will soon face an even worse crisis that will effect generations to come."

"The stakes have never been higher," added Citizen's Petition organizer Rob Foregger. "Every child born today inherits $55,000 in debt, and that number is growing.  And the escalating debt is no longer just a legacy problem for our kids; it is a very real and very urgent threat to the economic wellbeing of our country."

Petition organizer Biddle Duke welcomed Rep. Welch's support, saying, "Congressman Welch is a pragmatic, results-focused legislator who is keyed in on the critical issues that affect Vermont. His endorsement means a great deal to the Campaign to Fix the Debt, which will be working closely with him in the months ahead, both here in Vermont and across the country."

By signing the Citizen's Petition, Rep. Welch joins a growing number of current and former elected officials, business leaders, and concerned Americans who support the bipartisan principles behind the Campaign to Fix the Debt. The Campaign was founded by former Senator Alan Simpson and former White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles. 

Concerned Americans ready to demand action from Washington may sign the petition at www.FixTheDebt.org, or on their mobile device by texting "SIGN" to 877877.

The Campaign to Fix the Debt

The Campaign to Fix the Debt is a non-partisan movement to put America on a better fiscal and economic path. We come together from a variety of social, economic and political perspectives, around the common belief that America's growing federal debt threatens our future and that we must address it. The Campaign will mobilize key communities - including leaders from business, government, and policy - and people all across America who want to see elected officials step up to solve our nation's fiscal challenges. 

For more information on the Campaign to Fix the Debt please visit www.fixthedebt.org.

SOURCE Campaign to Fix the Debt