Divided We Fail Launches 2009 Efforts

Divided We Fail, a joint effort of AARP, Business Roundtable, the National Federation of Independent Business and SEIU, is hosting events on the Hill and in nearly every state to educate and engage the public about issues of health reform and economic security. Divided We Fail will also present to lawmakers more than 1.6 million pledges signed by supporters from across the country.

"The last two years have been an important platform for the real work that begins today," said AARP CEO Bill Novelli. "We want Divided We Fail to be the catalyst for real health and economic reform. The president-elect and new Congress have hit the ground running this month, and we're here to help with the support of 53 million consumers, workers and entrepreneurs."

Since its formation in 2007, Divided We Fail has organized nearly 1,000 local events including 500 "Community Conversations" to inform Americans about the options to address health care and financial security and gather new ideas from the public. Volunteers in their red Divided We Fail shirts became a fixture on the campaign trail, showing their support from the early primary states to Election Day.

Divided We Fail is launching our 2009 mobilization and education efforts with today's events. Our launch continues over the first Congressional recess where we will host town hall meetings to help constituents connect with their lawmakers and discuss how the health care and economic crises are affecting them.

"Partisan gridlock won't do anything to end the health and economic problems our country faces," added Todd Stottlemyer, president & CEO, NFIB. "If our organizations-business, labor and consumers-can join forces, so can our leaders in Washington. We're just getting started and we're ready to help."

Divided We Fail's supporters include more than 360 members of the 111th Congress who have signed the pledge or written a letter of support. In additional to AARP, Business Roundtable, NFIB and SEIU, more than 100 independent groups have also pledged their support.

See additional pictures from the Capitol Hill event.