Main Street

Keep Up the Pressure for Wall Street Reform

Yesterday afternoon, as expected, every Republican in the Senate (and Democrat Ben Nelson) voted against beginning public debate of financial reform. But while such votes have killed a lot of bills in recent years, this time Harry Reid is playing hardball:

Last night, after Republicans voted to sustain their filibuster of Wall Street reform legislation, Reid held an open quorum, forcing Republicans to return to the Senate floor, and then set the stage for revotes–to be held today and tomorrow–forcing the GOP to go on the record repeatedly opposing debate on financial reform.

You can help apply the pressure.

This Thursday, April 29, some 10,000 union members, community activists from National People’s Action (NPA) and other groups will march on Wall Street. Our message to the Big Bankers: Americans are angry that their reckless greed made a mess of the economy and destroyed jobs—and it’s time they pay to restore those jobs. If you can’t make it in person, join the more than 8,000 people who have signed up to be taken to the march virtually.

To join the virtual march and demand an end to Wall Street’s reckless practices and insist on real Wall Street reform, click here. We’ll print your name on a sticker that one of the marchers will carry. You can add your personal message to the sign that the marcher will carry in your name. Let the Big Bankers know you’re fed up with their shenanigans and that you want real change. The march and rally, which begin at 4 p.m. EDT, is part of the AFL-CIO’s Good Jobs Now! Make Wall Street Pay mobilization.

Or call in today, and let your senators know we’re counting on them to fight for real reform that:

• Creates an independent agency to protect consumers from predatory lenders;
• Sheds light on the shadow financial system; and
• Puts mandatory limits on bank size and risky behavior.

Many senators can be counted on to do the wrong thing and protect Wall Street, no matter what. Others are persuadable—but they won’t do the right thing and protect our economy from the greed and risky behavior of the banks if we don’t apply pressure. Call your senators today.

Tags: financial reform, Wall Street