Saunders celebrates Georgia Senate wins and new federal government trifecta

Saunders: “We now have the strong leadership required to defeat this pandemic, to get the economy moving again and deliver desperately needed aid to states, cities, towns and schools.”

WASHINGTON — AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement on the victories of Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock in Georgia’s U.S. Senate runoff elections:

“Georgia voters have spoken with loud and clear voices, choosing two new U.S. senators who will support working families and their communities over the wealthy and well-connected.

“This is an unambiguous repudiation of the last four years and a bold mandate for change. There will now be a pro-worker trifecta in the federal government, with Mitch McConnell receiving a well-deserved demotion. We now have the strong leadership required to defeat this pandemic, to get the economy moving again and deliver desperately needed aid to states, cities, towns and schools. We have an administration and a Congress committed to supporting front-line workers and empowering all working people with a seat at the table. We have the opportunity to move a robust, forward-looking agenda – strengthening health care, shoring up retirement security, protecting democracy, advancing racial justice and much more. 

“Over the last several weeks in Georgia, AFSCME members once again rose to the challenge and flexed our political muscle, turning out voters to help make the difference in these pivotal races. And we did so while we continue – as we have for nearly a year – to stand courageously on the front lines of the worst public health crisis in a century, putting the safety of our communities first.

“We look forward to working with Senators-elect Ossoff and Warnock to meet the huge challenges confronting working people and the nation.”