WASHINGTON, DC (July 24, 2013) – After President Obama’s speech in Galesburg, Illinois that focused on “A Better Bargain for the Middle Class,” the BlueGreen Alliance issued the following statement from Executive Director David Foster:

“Focusing on manufacturing — and ensuring that we bring more manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.— and repairing America’s infrastructure are vital components of any real plan to rebuild America’s middle class and make our country as a whole more prosperous.

“The president’s call for repairing America’s crumbling infrastructure — our bridges and roads, communications networks, ports, transit, clean water, and other systems Americans rely on every day — should be answered immediately by Congress with swift action that will create jobs, make our systems more efficient and thereby reduce the carbon pollution driving climate change, and ensure our communities are safeguarded from the impacts of climate change.

“By focusing on efficiency and innovation in manufacturing, the president continues to show true leadership to ensure a thriving manufacturing sector and middle class. His administration’s efforts will drive innovation and make our industry more energy efficient and competitive globally.

“Americans are ready to repair America, and the president is leading the way. It’s time for Congress to stop stalling American progress on jobs, climate change, and the environment, and instead take action to rebuild America’s middle class by repairing America.”