John,

“We have to reduce spending to live within our means, And, you know, that necessarily involves some temporary hardship, but it will ensure long-term prosperity.”¹

Those were words spoken by billionaire Elon Musk, the man who will lead the proposed “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) in the second Trump administration.

We must ask the question: hardship for whom?

According to economists, Musk’s plan to cut the federal budget by $2 trillion in one year (almost one-third of the federal budget) would be almost impossible to achieve and would necessitate catastrophic cuts in nutrition, housing, and health care programs in addition to cuts in Social Security―which no one wants.²

A budget is a moral document. Budget choices have deep significance in the lives of millions of Americans, but Musk treats it all as though it’s a diverting video game. The morality of the United States cannot be leaving the most vulnerable to suffer while those with exorbitant means continue to gain more wealth―and more control over our lives.  

Together, we’re playing a critical role in fighting back against reckless cuts in critical programs and services that are meant to pay for more tax cuts for the rich. Donate $5 today to fund our fight.

Extending the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would continue to benefit the wealthiest Americans while those in the lower income brackets would continue to suffer. According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, making these tax cuts permanent would cost $288.5 billion in the first year, with 63% of it going to the top 20% of earners and only 1% to the poorest 5th of Americans.³

Portions of the 2017 Trump tax legislation expire in December 2025 and Republicans have long wanted to extend their tax scam or even expand it. While they plan to give trillions of dollars in additional tax cuts to the rich and corporations, they also plan to cut funding for Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps), and other social safety net programs that millions of people rely on for support. Nearly 80 million people are enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)―and health care for millions is under attack.⁴

We’re not just playing defense. We’re joining with our coalition partners to demand Congress move beyond the status quo and fight for our communities.

Donate $5 today to fund our fight to defend critical programs and services and fight back against even more tax cuts for the rich.

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Thank you for all you do,

Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs

¹ Elon Musk asks voters to brace for economic 'hardship,' deep spending cuts in potential Trump Cabinet role
² Musk’s plan to cut $2 trillion in U.S. spending could bring economic turmoil
³ Extending Temporary Provisions of the 2017 Trump Tax Law: National and State-by-State Estimates
⁴ August 2024 Medicaid & CHIP Enrollment Data Highlights