John,

America is facing the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in history. If nothing changes, ultra-wealthy families will pass down $21 trillion in fortunes over the next two decades—while dodging up to $8.4 trillion in taxes.[1]

This is not just unfair; it’s a direct threat to democracy. Billionaires like Timothy Mellon and the Koch heirs are using their inherited wealth to shape politics, buy influence, and rig the system.[2]

Senator Bernie Sanders’ For the 99.5% Act would ensure that the super-rich pay their fair share. His plan would strengthen the estate tax, apply higher rates to multi-million-dollar inheritances, and claw back the untaxed wealth that dynasties have hoarded for decades.[3]

GOP Senator John Thune, set to be the Majority Leader in 2025, has introduced a bill to eliminate the estate tax, a handout to billionaires that would rob our communities of $167 billion in public investments over the next 10 years.[4]

It’s critical that we provide the American people with a clear contrast between runaway income and wealth inequality and plans to restrain untaxed dynastic wealth. Urge your senators to pass Bernie Sanders’ For the 99.5% Act and strengthen the estate tax now.

The estate tax, also known as the "silver spoon tax", only impacts the wealthiest 0.1% of Americans. Yet Republicans are rallying to abolish it, defending the fortunes of billionaire “nepo babies”, like Wyatt Koch, who waste millions on vanity projects while taxpayers foot the bill.[5]

Under Sanders’ plan, estates worth $3.5 million or more would finally face higher tax rates, bringing in billions to invest in healthcare, education, infrastructure, and other programs working families rely on.

The choice is clear: Do we tax the ultra-wealthy or do we let billionaires pass down their fortunes tax-free while our schools, hospitals, and roads crumble?

Tell your senators: Vote to strengthen the estate tax. Pass the For the 99.5% Act.

Let’s tax dynastic wealth, strengthen our communities, and ensure billionaires pay up.

David Kass
Executive Director
Americans for Tax Fairness Action Fund

[1] DYNASTY TRUSTS: GIANT TAX LOOPHOLES THAT SUPERCHARGE WEALTH ACCUMULATION
[2] Meet the Billionaire Nepo Babies Benefiting from Trump Tax Scam
[3] FOR THE 99.5% ACT
[4] Trump-GOP Tax Law Closeup: Strengthen Rather Than Weaken The Estate Tax To Curb Dynastic Wealth - Americans For Tax Fairness
[5] Billionaire Nepo Babies: How the Nation’s Wealthiest Inheritors Are Spending Extreme Fortunes