As the polls closed on election night, LIUNA shifted its focus to promoting a build America agenda for the next President and Congress. LIUNA ran its television ad “Build” during election night coverage on CNN and MSNBC in Washington, DC and Chicago. The ad issued a call to “fix our roads and bridges, and build the new rail and renewable energy we need” and urged viewers to tell Congress and the new President to “build America so America works.”

“Before the dust settles in this election, we are going to be out with our agenda to build America,” said O'Sullivan. “In an August speech to our union, Senator Obama announced he will be the “build America President” and promised to invest needed resources to rebuild our country.”

The television spot is part of LIUNA’s Build America, so America Works, campaign – an intensive and sustained effort to redirect our nation’s priorities and resources to building America and taking care of our basics – the roads, bridges, schools, mass transit and energy systems we all rely on but that have been neglected and underfunded for decades.

In a November session of Congress, LIUNA is calling for economic stimulus that includes $100 billion for needed projects to put people back to work building America. According to Department of Transportation estimates, a $100 billion infusion of funds for crucial ready-to-go projects across the country would create more than 1 million jobs.

“America’s workers need paychecks, not stimulus checks,” O’Sullivan said. “Jobs building America are too good to keep losing.”

In the long term, LIUNA is looking for a nationwide commitment to build America noting the American Society of Civil Engineers gives our basics a near failing grade and estimates $1.6 trillion is needed over the next five years.

“We need a new approach that takes care of America for a change,” said O’Sullivan. “Building America is a prudent investment that creates jobs, keeps us safe and moving, our economy growing and commerce running.”