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Oppose Harmful Budget Cuts and Tax Breaks for Wealthy -- National Call-in Days Extended
Action Needed:
Thanks to all of our hard work, the House has postponed voting on the budget cuts until the week of Oct. 24th, the same week the Senate is slated to vote on their version of the reconciliation bill. We must continue our calls! Contact your senators and representatives by using the toll-free number, 1-800-426-8073, or directly by phone or e-mail with the message: Congress must not cut aid to the poor, uninsured, hungry and homeless! We must demand that they oppose the upcoming reconciliation bill with its reduction of funds and services for Medicaid, Food Stamps, TANF, student financial aid, and other critically necessary programs.
The proposal by conservatives to extend tax breaks that drain the treasury and benefit the wealthy is a reckless policy that will increase the deficit and burden future generations.
Contact your senators and representatives at their district or state offices or call their national offices directly if you cannot get through using the 800 number. Follow up your phone call with an e-mail message.
Phone numbers for senators and representatives are available online. It is essential that we make these calls and register our concerns! $50 billion in human needs CUTS and $90 billion in tax giveaways is UNNACCEPTABLE.
Background:
The fiscal year '06 Budget Resolution called for $35 billion in cuts to discretionary programs. Some conservative House Republican leaders are demanding that additional cuts - up to $50 billion - be made. These same conservatives are using the recovery costs for Hurricane Katrina-ravaged areas as the reason these cuts are necessary - an outrageous use of a national disaster to further right-wing fiscal policy.
Among the many likely budget cuts are ones that would harm women and their families. The $574 million in cuts to the Food Stamp program could cause 300,000 people to go hungry, while cuts in Medicaid could cause 1.2 million children to lose health care coverage. Another $15 billion in budget cuts will harm millions more needy families. Related measures being promoted under the camouflage of Katrina aid are a host of tax break extensions that would total up to $90 billion over five years. Of course, these tax breaks mainly benefit large corporations and the top 1-2 percent of income earners.
It is despicable that Congress plans to cut Food Stamps, Medicaid, TANF and other crucial programs for people in need. It is even more despicable that conservatives would use a national disaster as a cover for more cuts to social programs and extension of tax breaks that benefit the wealthy.
There are many in Congress who disagree with these cuts, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Rep. John Spratt (D-S.C.), Ranking Member on the House Budget Committee, who have sent a letter to the leadership requesting that efforts to pass a reconciliation bill be halted. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid sent a similar letter, and many Democratic Senators are opposed to these reckless and wrong-headed plans to cut taxes, cut critical public programs and make the deficit larger.
Call your senators and representatives on Monday, Oct. 24 to urge them to oppose the irresponsible budget cuts to important programs and to vote against any proposed extension of tax breaks for the wealthy!
Learn more (PDF) about the budget reconciliation process.
Follow up your call with an e-mail message! We need to make our voices heard.
How to Call:
Step 1:On October 24, call 1-800-426-8073 to be connected toll-free to the Capitol Switchboard and ask to speak to the office of one of the senators from your state. Or, call your Senators' offices directly if the switchboard is busy.
Step 2: When the senator's phone is answered, say:
"My name is ___________ and I live and vote in [your town/city]. May I please speak to the person who handles the budget for Senator/Representative [name]."
(If that person is not available, ask for voice mail to leave a message.)
"I would like Senator/Representative [name] to oppose the $35 billion in cuts to Medicaid, Food Stamps and other vital services that are in the upcoming budget reconciliation bill. I also oppose $90 billion in tax cuts for the wealthy, especially in these hard times."
"Our real priorities should be protecting people from sickness and hardship, investing in housing, jobs, and other services that families need - not squandering billions on tax cuts for the wealthy and well-connected."
Feel free to add your own thoughts or conditions relevant to your agency, city or state. Try to get the staff person's name and follow up with an e-mail or phone call as the vote nears.
Step 3: Use the toll-free number in step 1 and call your other senator or your representative. If the lines are busy, please be patient and try again. Or dial their direct lines (not toll-free); phone numbers for senators and representatives are available online.
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