From Indivisible Oregon...
**CALL TO ACTION**
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
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FUND DISASTER RELIEF AND STOP THE TAX BILL
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#FundDisasterRelief
#TrumpTaxScam
Congress has just 8 days to address both the GOP Tax Scam and a continuing resolution to keep government open. While trying to stop the Tax Scam, Dems must ensure the continuing resolution contains, at minimum, tens of billions for disaster relief.
There have been over 15 weather/climate disasters in 2017 whose losses each topped $1 billion—including massive hurricanes in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico, and forest fires in Pacific Northwest.
Congressional and White House response has been insufficient:
• $50+ billion initial Congressional response was inadequate
• White House’s request for another $44 billion in November was offset by spending cuts. Sen. Patrick Leahy, Vice-Chair of Senate Appropriations Committee, called this request “inadequate” and “insulting” to the Puerto Rican people. The amount needed is well over $180 billion.
• The tax bill would also eliminate the personal deduction for uninsured disaster losses.
Meanwhile, the Conference Committee is working on a revised tax bill. Whatever emerges will still be deeply unpopular, creating massive wealth redistribution with devastating results to pocketbooks/livelihoods of the vast majority of Americans.
Americans deserve more compassion from their government. Let’s give our MoCs our priorities: stop the Tax Scam and provide disaster victims/communities with funds needed to rebuild.
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**ACTION 1: CALL YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE**
(Leave a message if you can’t get through.)
SAMPLE SCRIPT for Merkley, Blumenauer, Bonamici, Schrader and DeFazio:
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. Thank you for voting “no” on last week’s continuing budget resolution. Today I am asking that you both keep doing all you can to stop the Trump Tax Bill and promise me you will only vote “yes” on the next continuing resolution if it includes sufficient funding for disaster relief. I will be calling again this week with my other priorities for the continuing resolution. Thank you.”
SAMPLE SCRIPT for Wyden:
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I was surprised you voted “yes” on last continuing budget resolution when it didn’t include disaster relief funding. Today I am asking that you both keep doing all you can to stop the Trump Tax Bill and promise me you will only vote "yes” on the next continuing resolution if fully funds disaster relief. I will be calling again this week with my other priorities for the continuing resolution. Thank you.”
SAMPLE SCRIPT for Walden:
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. The next few weeks will bring votes on the tax bill and a continuing resolution. Please think about your constituents and not your donors when you take these votes. Vote “no” on the tax bill and only vote “yes” on the next continuing resolution if it fully funds disaster relief. I will be calling again this week with my other priorities for the continuing resolution. Thank you.”
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**ACTION 2: SHARE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY**
Share this post with friends and family. Help them leave messages for their Congessional delegation about protecting/funding a clean DREAM Act, CHIP, community healthcare and disaster relief in the next continuing budget resolution.
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**PHONE NUMBERS**
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
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
CONGRESSWOMAN SUZANNE BONAMICI [D1]
DC: (202) 225-0855, OR: (503) 469-6010
CONGRESSMAN GREG WALDEN [D2]
DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646,
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
CONGRESSMAN EARL BLUMENAUER [D3]
DC: (202) 225-4811, OR: (503) 231-2300
CONGRESSMAN PETER DEFAZIO [D4]
DC 202-225-6416, Eugene: (541) 465-6732,
Roseburg: (541) 440-3523, Coos Bay (541) 269-2609
CONGRESSMAN KURT SCHRADER [D5]
DC: (202) 225-5711, Salem (503) 588-9100,
Oregon City (503) 557-1324
** After you call, please comment below and briefly share your experience!**