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STOP TRUMP TAX SCAM TO SAVE DOMESTIC PROGRAMS


#TrumpTaxScam

Senate and House conferees are negotiating a tax code overhaul that would add $1.5 trillion to the national deficit. Passage before year’s end would force $136 billion in automatic spending cuts due to “PAYGO” rules. This would devastate healthcare, strip $25 billion from Medicare, and eliminate domestic programs. https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/11/14/16651184/gop-tax-bill-medicare-cut-paygo  However, Congress could waive PAYGO rules in a continuing resolution to keep the government operating past tomorrow.

Democrats have real leverage in this negotiation. Sixty votes are needed to waive PAYGO rules and pass a Continuing Resolution. This means wooing at least 8 Democrats.

Susan Collins claims she voted for tax bill because McConnell promised Congress would waive PAYGO cuts, probably in the end-of-the-year government funding package—an empty promise at best.
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/11/susan-collins-is-sure-this-will-all-end-great-for-everyone.html

Members of Congress (MoC) who oppose this extremely unpopular tax bill must promise NOT to bail out those who do. Further, if our MoCs vote to waive PAYGO, the tax deficit would greatly increase national debt – giving conservative MoCs ammunition to demand “reforms” of programs like Medicare.

We must STAND UP for our safety net in the long run by rejecting a PAYGO waiver in the continuing budget resolution. If they can’t pass a continuing resolution, the GOP-led Congress will be responsible for possible government shutdown and the destruction of domestic programs.

Make the GOP own the #TaxScam they created!

#WaldenOwnsTaxScam—Wherever he is!


**ACTION 1: Call our Senators and Congressman Walden**
(Leave a message if you can’t get through.)

SAMPLE SCRIPT for Senators:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I’m asking the Senator to keep the PAYGO waiver OUT of the Continuing Resolution. Those who voted for this unpopular, destructive tax bill must be held accountable – both versions of the eventual bill, as currently drafted, hurt America even more than PAYGO cuts. Thank you.”

SAMPLE SCRIPT for Congressman Walden:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am OUTRAGED by the Congressman’s key role supporting the House version of the tax bill which betrays all but the richest of his District 2 constituents.  Only by putting People Before Partywithdrawing his support for measures in the bill that will devastate the middle and lower class in our district—will he begin to atone for that betrayal. Greg Walden continues to Sell Us Out to his corporate donors! Thank you.”


**ACTION 2: Share with family and friends**

Share this post with friends and family. Help them educate their Members of Congress about the devastating implications of the PAYGO Statute and why they should vote against waiver.


SENATOR 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/

SENATOR 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/

CONGRESSMAN WALDEN 
DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646,
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me

 

Republicans Aren’t Sweating The Procedural Obstacles To Tax Reform
Maybe they should worry, since a parliamentary quirk gives Democrats some leverage.

EVENT REMINDERS!

Don’t Kill Net Neutrality Protest – Medford
TODAY December 7 @ Noon- 1:00 p.m.
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/dont-kill-net-neutrality-protest-medford/

ORD2 General Meeting and Oregon Measure 101
Monday December 11 @ 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/ord2-general-meeting-and-oregon-measure-101/

2nd Tuesday of the Month Rally
Tuesday December 12 @ Noon – 1:30 p.m.
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/2nd-tuesday-of-the-month-rally/