John,

Later this week Congress will vote on a full-year budget to keep our government funded. But, the question still remains, how much will it help low-income and working families or give more handouts to corporations and the rich? Negotiators are working through the weekend to put the package together, which could include everything from housing to child care to low-income heating assistance.

And, at a time when families are spending an average of $433 more out of pocket each month compared to last year this help is critical to meeting the needs of families and working people.[1]

Rush a message to your senators and representative right now and urge them to increase spending for critical programs in the must-pass, year-end budget bill.

We know that when the rich and corporations pay their fair share in taxes, we can afford to invest in anti-poverty programs, education, housing, heating for low-income families, and more.

Right now, eviction rates are back to pre-pandemic levels with Black and Latino people facing disproportionately higher rates of eviction.[2] With rents rising, critical investments are needed to address the affordable housing crisis.

Coming out of the pandemic, children’s mental health has reached crisis levels, and yet funding for Children’s Mental Health funding has dropped 18% since 2010.[3] Critical investments are needed to help children and youth overcome pandemic losses and to rebuild opportunity for all.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, families struggled to find affordable, high-quality child care. This has been made worse over the last two years, forcing many parents―primarily women―out of the workforce in order to care for young children. It’s critical that Congress act to address the child care crisis that is hurting families and child care workers alike.

And, as we head into the winter months, and with rising home heating costs, Congress must invest in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which has seen its funding plummet by 40% since 2010, taking inflation into account.

Click here to write to your members of Congress right now and urge them to increase spending for critically needed programs in the year-end budget bill being finalized right now!

Instead of more tax handouts to the wealthy and corporations, it’s time for Congress to invest in working people and families.

Thank you for taking action today.

Frank Clemente
Executive Director
Americans for Tax Fairness

[1] “Inflation boosts U.S. household spending by $433 a month, on average, Moody’s finds,” CNBC, Nov. 25, 2022
[2] “Evictions Rise to Pre-Pandemic Levels,” PEW, Feb. 1, 2022
[3] “Pediatricians say the mental health crisis among kids has become a national emergency,” NPR, Oct. 20, 2021