by Tita Freeman

The U.S. Chamber has launched an inside-the-beltway radio advertising campaign urging Congress to act immediately to pass a responsible bill that will stabilize our financial system and ensure that consumers and businesses will continue to have access to credit.

We need Congress to pass the compromise bill that was reached over the weekend. The legislation provides the flexibility to be implemented quickly and includes the oversight needed to protect taxpayers. The bill ensures that homeowners facing foreclosure will be direct beneficiaries of government actions and taxpayer expenditures to stabilize financial markets.

The 30-second ad, by Bruce Josten, our executive vice president for government affairs, calls on leaders in Congress to come together in a bi-partisan manner and to address this crisis. Says Josten:

"This radio campaign, our calls and meetings with Hill staff, and our nationwide grassroots efforts illustrate the seriousness and urgency of doing something now to prevent an even worse disaster down the road. If Congress does not act quickly to help stabilize our markets, our financial system could freeze up almost overnight and prevent consumers and businesses from obtaining credit that they need – creating a meltdown of our economy unlike anything we’ve ever seen."

From the ad:

Now more than ever, our nation is in need of bipartisan leadership in Washington. We must act quickly to prevent a total freeze up of our financial system. Inaction, without a doubt, would cause our economy to collapse. Congress, don't delay.  Our nation’s businesses and workers are counting on you to set aside your differences and pass a bipartisan financial markets rescue bill now.

Do your part and tell Congress to do the right thing.