CALL TO ACTION #708: Looming Budget and Debt Ceiling Crises (June 26, 2019)
LOOMING BUDGET AND DEBT CEILING CRISES
While we focus on an impeachment inquiry, a new fiscal year begins Oct. 1, three months away. We are likely to be facing twin crises. Why? Trump, the chaos fake-president.
The basics:
- Unless Congress extends current budget caps, discretionary spending will automatically drop 10% under “sequestration” (a fancy word for automatic cuts.)
- Unless Congress raises the debt ceiling, America could default on loans and likely trigger a worldwide financial crisis (we have some time. Treasury has borrowed Peter to pay Paul until early 2020.)
Recent developments:
- On Tuesday, the full House passed all appropriations bills except DHS and congressional operations. A new rule allows both houses to “deem” or guess future budget caps. The House assumes current caps plus inflation, and its defense bill forbids transferring money for a border wall
- The Senate deemed lower budget caps and has yet to write any appropriations
- The WH is demanding a new debt ceiling first. (Even McConnell says that’s out.) Dems are holding out for parity between increases in defense and nondefense spending first
- Trump could repeat FY 2019 and veto any congressional deal
Our bottom line:
Protect Nondefense Spending!
No Money For a Border Wall!
Start an Impeachment Inquiry NOW!
**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR SENATORS**
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR SENATORS WYDEN AND MERKLEY:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because . . .
. . . I have three comments for the Senator:
- I support a budget that protects non-defense discretionary spending
- Please oppose any funding for a border wall, either from the defense budget or in the DHS budget
- Please call for an immediate impeachment inquiry
Thank you.”
SENATOR RON WYDEN
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact/
SENATOR JEFF MERKLEY
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact/
**ACTION TWO: CALL COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN**
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WALDEN:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because . . .
. . . I have three comments for Greg Walden:
- I support a budget deal with the Senate that protects non-defense discretionary spending
- I am sorry to see that you opposed a military budget that prohibits the transfer of funding for a border wall. I oppose any money to go for a border wall in the DHS budget
- Please put country before party and call for an immediate impeachment inquiry
Through Greg’s actions and inactions—his silence has been deafening—he appears to fully support Trump, regardless of how much damage Trump is doing to our democracy and to world stability. Know that we are still here, that we will be working to flip his seat BLUE — #2020StartsNow!
Thank you.”
COMPLICIT GREG WALDENDC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me
**ACTION THREE: BE AN ACTIVIST**
Visit the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar on a regular basis to keep updated on our local activities. Participate with us as often as you can.
TODAY: June 26 @ 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-no-lng-public-hearing-stop-jordan-cove-medford/
Democratic 2020 Candidate Debate Watch Party – Medford
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/democratic-2020-candidate-debate-watch-party-medford/
Democratic 2020 Candidate Debate Watch Party – Ashland
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/democratic-2020-candidate-debate-watch-party-ashland/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: Greg Walden Town Hall Meeting – Grants Pass
June 28 @ 9:00 am – 10:30 am
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-greg-walden-town-hall-meeting-grants-pass/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: Greg Walden Town Hall Meeting – Eagle Point
June 28 @ 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-greg-walden-town-hall-meeting-eagle-point/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: Ranked Choice Voting Information Session – Ashland
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-ranked-choice-voting-information-session-ashland/
July 4th Parade Singing and Marching Rehearsal – Ashland
June 30 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/july-4th-parade-singing-and-marching-rehearsal-ashland-2/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: Emerge Oregon Southern Region Recruitment Event – Talent
June 30 @ 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-emerge-oregon-southern-region-recruitment-event-talent/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Events: Greg Walden Town Hall Meetings – Mt. Vernon, Mitchell, Powell Butte
July 2 @ 8:30 am
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-events-greg-walden-town-hall-meetings-mt-vernon-mitchell-powell-butte/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Events: Greg Walden Town Hall Meeting – Cascade Locks
July 3 @ 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-events-greg-walden-town-hall-meeting-cascade-locks/
Lights for Liberty: A Candlelight Vigil to End Human Detention Camps – Ashland
Letters to the Editor Writing Session – Medford
July 19 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
SUBMIT EVENTS TO BE ADDED TO THE ORD2 INDIVISIBLE EVENT CALENDAR
ORD2 Indivisible 2020 Fundraising Campaign
As we approach what will be the most important election of our lifetimes, ORD2 Indivisible wants to be in a secure financial position to help engage as many voters in our district in the election process as possible. To accomplish this goal we are conducting the ORD2 Indivisible 2020 fundraising campaign.
The next 20 people who donate $20 (or more) will receive a prize!
Please make an online donation by clicking on the 2020 image below:
To make a donation by check, please make the check payable to ORD2 Indivisible and mail to:
ORD2 Indivisible
P.O. Box 1242, Phoenix, OR 97535
SOURCES:
Current situation re 2020 budget and raising the debt ceiling: https://www.vox.com/2019/5/22/18635564/congress-budget-caps-debt-limit-trump
Pelosi will not raise debt ceiling without new budget caps: https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/politics/pelosi-no-debt-ceiling-hike-without-lifting-budget-caps/2019/06/13/54661279-e4ea-4b6d-929a-bcd9af21f02a_video.html?utm_term=.127b76e56856
Treasury suspends payments to avoid hitting debt ceiling: https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2019/03/treasury-stops-investments-delay-debt-ceiling-retirement-programs-could-become-more-generous-and-more/155340/
Status of budget process: http://www.crfb.org/blogs/appropriations-watch-fy-2020
Analysis of Trump’s 2020 budget for domestic spending: https://www.cbpp.org/research/federal-budget/2020-trump-budget-a-disturbing-vision
