For Immediate Release: “The Can Kicks Back” Launches Campaign to Mobilize Young Americans on National Debt

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "The Can Kicks Back," a Millennial-led organization to give young Americans a voice in the debate about the national debt, is launching its nationwide grassroots campaign as Congress returns to session this week. A kick-off event will take place on Monday, Nov. 12 at 6 pm at George Washington University's School of Media and Public Affairs and will feature young leaders from across the country.

The Can Kicks Back's goal is to educate and mobilize young Americans to pressure Washington lawmakers to reach a bold, balanced and bipartisan "grand bargain" on fiscal issues by July 4, 2013.

"Our generation is the can that politicians keep kicking down the road," said Nick Troiano, co-founder of The Can Kicks Back. "This campaign is an opportunity for young Americans to finally kick back at Washington and demand a solution to our country's $16 trillion and growing national debt."

The leadership of The Can Kicks Back is convinced that the time is right for their campaign. The looming fiscal cliff is focusing Americans on what is at stake in reaching a debt deal. Moreover, the Millennial Generation remains politically engaged, having constituted 19% of the electorate in the recent presidential election.

"We are focused on explaining to young Americans how our growing national debt affects them, from their ability to find a job to their ability to finance an education, and providing them with meaningful ways to take action to solve this problem," said Ryan Schoenike, also a co-founder of The Can Kicks Back.

The Can Kicks Back is also introducing its mascot: "AmeriCAN," a giant can character who will be visiting college campuses and walking the hallways of Congress to represent the young Americans who are kicking back to reclaim their future.

"If a deal on our debt is going to happen, young people need to show up – that is the promise of this unique and important campaign," said advisor Jon Cowan, President of the Third Way think tank. The organization's Advisory Board also includes Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson, former co-chairs of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform.   

The Can Kicks Back is the Millennial-outreach partner of The Campaign to Fix the Debt, a non-partisan effort to put America on a better fiscal and economic path.

Email: press@thecankicksback.org