John,

The facts are very simple: if we want to reduce the federal deficit, then we must increase revenue, not implement drastic cuts to non-military programs.

House leadership is pushing a “fiscal commission” that seeks to balance the federal budget through draconian funding cuts to essential programs such as Social Security, Medicare, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, and other programs working people rely on.

Their strategy is to attach this fiscal commission to the must-pass government funding bills being voted on this month, so that Congress can propose cuts to critical programs behind closed doors, and voters won’t know who to blame.

We cannot balance the federal budget on the backs of our most vulnerable neighbors, relatives, and friends. ADD YOUR NAME now to demand Congress reject the “fiscal commission.”

Some proponents of the fiscal commission bill have proposed not cutting Social Security, Medicare, military spending, and veterans benefits―but that would require cutting other critical human needs programs by at least 30%. If the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is extended beyond its 2025 expiration date, the cuts would increase to 43%.¹

By focusing on program cuts while refusing to make those at the top pay their fair share in taxes, this commission will exacerbate poverty, increase the number of uninsured people, and wreak havoc on the economy.

House leadership knows how unpopular the work of this commission is, which is why they’re threatening to attach it to must-pass funding bills; 118 members of Congress have written an open letter speaking out against this.²

The only way to truly reduce the federal deficit without causing further harm to communities across our nation is to raise taxes on the ultra-wealthy and corporations and make them finally pay their fair share.

SIGN THE PETITION demanding Congress reject the “fiscal commission.”

Thank you for all you do,

Meredith Dodson
Senior Director of Public Policy, Coalition on Human Needs

¹ 5 Reasons Why a Debt Commission Is the Wrong Prescription
² Congressional Letter on Fiscal Commission

-- DEBORAH'S EMAIL --

John,

We cannot cut our way to prosperity.

House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-TX) has passed his so-called “fiscal commission” out of committee with the support of three Democrats. This commission is nothing but a fast-track way to cut Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, and other key programs behind closed doors so the American people won’t know who to blame.

Four amendments were offered when this bill came up in the Budget Committee. They would have protected Social Security and Medicare from cuts, increased taxes on the wealthy and corporations, and increased funding for the IRS―all of the amendments were rejected on a nearly party line vote.¹

If Congress truly wanted to balance the federal budget, they would go after the wealthy and corporate tax cheats that cost our country $1 trillion per year in lost revenue, and not the millions of people who rely on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, or SNAP as a lifeline.²

SIGN THE PETITION and demand Congress reject the “fiscal commission” that seeks to cut funding to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, and more.

81% of registered voters disapprove of cuts to Social Security and Medicare, and 82% of voters support increasing funding for these programs.³

In January, Reps. John Larson (D-CT) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), along with 116 of their colleagues, sent a letter to House leadership to reject attaching a “fiscal commission” to any must-pass funding bills.⁴ We must keep up the pressure.

We cannot balance the federal budget on the backs of older Americans, people with disabilities, and low-income communities. It’s time for Congress to listen to 81% of the American public and reject any cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and other critical programs.

ADD YOUR NAME to tell Congress to reject the “fiscal commission.”

Thank you for all you do,

Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs

¹ Bill to create new debt commission approved in House panel
² Tax cheats cost the U.S. $1 trillion per year, I.R.S. chief says.
³ Vast Majorities of Americans Intensely Support Increasing Funding for Programs
⁴Congressional Letter on Fiscal Commission