"Fast track" deficit commission opposed

Progressive leaders representing more than 50 groups will join together in a news conference call this morning to oppose Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., and Sen. Judd Gregg's, D-N.H., controversial plan to create a "fast track" deficit commission.

The Senate is preparing to vote on legislation this week by Sen. Conrad and Sen. Gregg to create a special commission with extraordinary powers to cut federal spending. Congress will vote on the plan in a "fast track" procedure with limited debate and no opportunity for amendments.

"We write in strong opposition to the proposal of Senators Kent Conrad, Judd Gregg and others to create a deficit-reduction commission that would override the normal legislative process and replace it with expedited procedures prohibiting amendments and limiting debate," the groups declared in a letter to Congress and the White House. "If the Conrad-Gregg proposal were to become law, it could dramatically change by stealth critical benefits and services so vital to America's families."

CONRAD-GREGG BUDGET COMMISSION NEWS CONFERENCE CALL

DATE: Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010

TIME: 11 a.m. ET

CALL-IN: 888-267-6301, code 3159464

PARTICIPANTS: Roger Hickey, co-director, Campaign for America's Future

Rep. Barbara Kennelly, president, National Committee to Protect Social Security

Gerald Shea, assistant to the president, AFL-CIO

Joan Entmacher, vice president, National Women's Law Center

Hilary Shelton, director, NAACP Washington Bureau

Wade Henderson, director, Leadership Conference for Civil Rights

Nancy Altman, co-director, Project to Defend and Improve Social Security

The full statement by the 50 groups is available at http://www.ourfuture.org/budgetcommission.