John,

Tax cuts are not an effective response to the coronavirus pandemic. But that’s exactly what Donald Trump and congressional Republicans are attempting to do.

They want to use this national emergency to push through even more tax breaks for the rich and corporations under the guise of an economic stimulus package for working people. But the reality is those who will be most affected by a coronavirus-related economic slowdown will see little if any immediate relief from a payroll tax cut, from a corporate tax cut or from indexing of capital gains, which mostly flow to wealthy Wall Street investors.

Sign the petition to Congress to demand an economic stimulus package that targets the most vulnerable―including workers without paid sick leave and low-income students who suffer particularly from school closings and lack of access to school meals―not one that favors families who have the most resources to weather the crisis.

If you’re an hourly worker sent home for 14 days, you aren’t getting paid. A payroll tax cut will do nothing to support you and your family.

Several economists have recently proposed more effective interventions. All their plans call for the federal government to make cash payments to households. This would ease the strain on family finances from coronavirus-related layoffs and cutbacks while cushioning the economy against a collapse of consumer demand.

Sign the petition to Congress: We need an economic response to the coronavirus pandemic that puts money into the pockets of those who need it most.

Together, we’re demanding Congress not use this national health emergency to cut taxes, which will fail to produce quick results, be poorly targeted and lack the biggest bang-for-the-buck. Instead, Congress must pass an economic stimulus package that makes immediate cash payments to households and ensures access to healthcare, food security, paid sick leave, enhanced unemployment insurance and more.

Thank you for taking action to protect working families during this growing crisis.

Frank Clemente
Executive Director
Americans for Tax Fairness