Two Perriello co-sponsored bills pass as part of "Make it in America" initiative

Washington, D.C.—The U.S. House of Representatives today passed three more bills to create jobs and support American manufacturing as part of House Democrats’ new “Make it in America” initiative. The House passed the National Manufacturing Strategy Act and the End the Trade Deficit Act, both co-sponsored by Rep. Tom Perriello, as well as the Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act. These bills will promote the competitiveness of the American manufacturing sector and support the millions of American jobs in manufacturing. All three bills passed with wide bipartisan support.

“After more than a year of fighting for a plan to boost American manufacturing and construction, I am glad to see the House pass the first major pieces of the ‘Make it in America’ agenda. We must start making, building, and growing things in America, so I’m glad to see progress towards a National Manufacturing Strategy and the End the Trade Deficit Act,” said Rep. Perriello. “A strong manufacturing sector puts Americans back to work, and if we level the playing field with China, Americans will win. I never expected there would be so much resistance in Washington to supporting the American worker, but we are overcoming that to produce a path to progress for American jobs.”

July 28, 2010--Ivy, VA--Lise Clavel, campaign manager for the Perriello campaign, released the following statement:

"After reversing his position on debating all candidates, Sen. Hurt has said no to debates that include independent conservative candidate Jeff Clark, even though Mr. Clark has met the Virginia standard to qualify as a candidate. In these brutal economic times when the stakes are so high, Tom wants to give voters every chance to hear from all candidates, so he will commit to two televised debates that include all the candidates and two head-to-head debates with Sen. Hurt. While Tom believes voters should have the opportunity to hear every candidate on the ballot every time, this compromise seems like the only way Sen. Hurt will allow the process to move forward without being too scared to have a real debate that respects independents."

 Campaign Fueled by Grassroots Support, with 97% of Donations Below $200 

July 12, 2010—Ivy, VA—The Perriello campaign announced today that, because of Congressman Tom Perriello's strong grassroots support in the 5th district, it has raised more than $660,000 in the second quarter of 2010, breaking their record from last quarter and bringing their cycle total to almost $2.3 million. The campaign surges into the summer with $1.7 million cash on hand, enabling them to reach more voters and quantifying the wide support Perriello receives from across the district.

Continuing to reject funds from federal lobbyists and corporate PACs, the campaign reported that individual donors made more than 98% of contributions this quarter. Other freshmen representatives from similarly competitive districts have received an average of $250,000 in contributions from federal lobbyists and corporate PACs this cycle. 

The campaign is gaining momentum, with 62% of contributors giving for the first time and 97% of donations below $200, demonstrating the success of the campaign's grassroots support. The campaign has received contributions from citizens in every one of the district's 22 localities.