Ways you can fight the disastrous Republican tax bill right now
A week ago, on December 1st, the Senate voted to pass the new Republican tax bill. Amid cries that the bill would be disastrous for many Americans, we began to feel like this was the beginning of the end. But the fight over the tax plan isn’t over. Here’s what you can do to stop it.
Two different versions of the bill were passed in the House and the Senate. This means that either the Senate bill will be passed in its entirety, or, more likely, the two branches of Congress will have to reconcile their two bills to create one law.
As an example of their differences, the Senate bill repeals Obamacare’s requirement that every person have health insurance, while the House bill makes no mention of Obamacare.
If the House decides to make changes to the Senate bill, it could trigger another vote in the Senate. And the Republicans’ hold on the Senate is much weaker than in the House; Republicans have 52 out of 100 seats. If just three Senate Republicans voted against a revised tax bill, it would fail.
And it just so happens that three Republican Senators are on the fence about the bill. Senator Susan Collins of Maine, who has repeatedly voted to preserve health care, told a Maine CBS affiliate that she would not commit to voting for the final tax bill until she knows whether or not it will impact Obamacare. Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee voted against the bill on December 1st. And Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona could redact his “yes” if Republican Senators don’t follow through on their promise to find a new way to protect former DACA recipients.
Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do after a loss. Not this time.
This tax bill is only going to get worse as people learn more about it. There are 6 GOP Senators that have to run on it & 2 open seats in 2018. We all need to get to work.— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) December 2, 2017
I’m heading back to the Senate floor this morning to fight with everything I’ve got to defeat the GOP’s immoral tax plan. But I need you to help me out. Please call your Senators and tell them to vote NO on this bill: (202) 224-3121.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) December 1, 2017
We can still stop this tax scam from devastating American health care. These 24 House members are @ProtectOurCare targets on the devastating health provisions included in the bill. Call them now and tell them not to gut health care to give tax breaks to the rich: 202-224-3121./1 pic.twitter.com/XLggZzvPxm
— Brad Woodhouse (@woodhouseb) December 4, 2017
Anyone who makes less than 100k a year will be screwed by this tax bill. First, they start with the people who make 10k a year. This is our government under trump. Call your reps. Flake, McCain, Murkowski, Collins. Call them and stop this.
— Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) November 28, 2017
With such narrow support for the tax bill in the Senate, it’s important to call or text your representatives and voice your opposition to the tax reform bill — even if you just leave a voicemail. The Senate directory can be found here. And the House directory can be found here. If you have the ability, you can also join a public protest of the bill.
Sadly, there’s no guarantee that our efforts will stop the bill. But with such huge consequences if the bill becomes law, it’s important that we do what we can to make change.
