About Us

The Emergency Campaign for America’s Priorities (ECAP) is a nationwide campaign of national and grassroots organizations committed to reversing the Administration’s policy of drastic cuts to programs that primarily benefit the poor and middle class in order to finance tax cuts that benefit the wealthy and special interests. Our “First Things First” agenda is a plan to fully meet pressing human needs over five years and assure that all pay their fair share.

The 110th Congress can expand opportunity and prosperity for the vast majority of Americans, ensuring long-term economic growth by investing in critical human needs priorities. The ECAP agenda for 2007 is a down payment on reversing the upside-down budget and tax priorities of the Bush Administration and the 109th Congress.

The “First Things First” agenda is based on our shared values that each of us deserves the opportunity to succeed, to have access to adequate health care, food, housing, education and the economic security to live with dignity. And yet, unmet needs are growing – 250,000 child care slots have been lost since 2000, 17 states are facing shortfalls in 2007 in the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), 130,000 housing rental vouchers have been lost since 2004, and Food Stamp benefits average only $1 per individual for a meal.

To meet critical needs, the 110th Congress must establish a path to fully funding domestic programs serving people in need by 2012. 

Read a Timeline of ECAP Victories

Partner Organizations

  • American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
  • ACORN
  • Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA)
  • American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)
  • American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
  • American Academy of HIV Medicine
  • Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs
  • The Arc and UCP Disability Policy Collaboration
  • Campaign for America’s Future (CAF)
  • Center for Community Change
  • Children's Defense Fund
  • Coalition on Human Needs
  • Communications Workers of America (CWA)
  • Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities
  • Direct Action Welfare Group (DAWG)
  • Disability Policy Collaboration
  • Fair Taxes For All Coalition
  • Families USA
  • Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)
  • Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR)
  • Mennonite Central Committee, Washington Office
  • MoveOn.org Political Action
  • National Association of Social Workers
  • National Community Action Foundation
  • National Council of Churches
  • National Council of Jewish Women
  • National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
  • National Head Start Association
  • National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC)
  • National Priorities Project
  • National Women’s Law Center (NWLC)
  • NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
  • OMB Watch
  • People For the American Way (PFAW)
  • Planned Parenthood Federation of America
  • RESULTS
  • Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
  • Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
  • Sierra Club
  • United for a Fair Economy
  • United States Student Association (USSA)
  • USAction
  • USPIRG
  • Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW)
  • Welfare Rights Organizing Coalition
  • Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA)

    • Working Families

    Support America's Workers. Read More

    Budget

    Write a Letter in Support of the Right Budget Priorities. Read More

    Children & Education

    Support Education Funding. Read More

    Support our Country's Children and Youth. Read More

    Nutrition & Housing

    Support Nutrition and Housing Programs. Read More