Call!!

Call your senators and representatives on Monday, Oct. 24 to urge them to oppose the irresponsible budget cuts to important programs and to vote against any proposed extension of tax breaks for the wealthy!

The fiscal year '06 Budget Resolution called for $35 billion in cuts to discretionary programs. Some conservative House Republican leaders are demanding that additional cuts - up to $50 billion - be made. These same conservatives are using the recovery costs for Hurricane Katrina-ravaged areas as the reason these cuts are necessary - an outrageous use of a national disaster to further right-wing fiscal policy.

Among the many likely budget cuts are ones that would harm women and their families. The $574 million in cuts to the Food Stamp program could cause 300,000 people to go hungry, while cuts in Medicaid could cause 1.2 million children to lose health care coverage. Another $15 billion in budget cuts will harm millions more needy families. Related measures being promoted under the camouflage of Katrina aid are a host of tax break extensions that would total up to $90 billion over five years. Of course, these tax breaks mainly benefit large corporations and the top 1-2 percent of income earners.

The House has postponed voting on the budget cuts until the week of Oct. 24th, the same week the Senate is slated to vote on their version of the reconciliation bill. Contact your senators and representatives by using the toll-free number, 1-800-426-8073, or directly by phone or e-mail with the message: Congress must not cut aid to the poor, uninsured, hungry and homeless!

We must demand that they oppose the upcoming reconciliation bill with its reduction of funds and services for Medicaid, Food Stamps, TANF, student financial aid, and other critically necessary programs.