Call your Republican representative NOW
Who will decide if your taxes increase in just 22 days? A few dozen members of the House of Representatives, that's who.
Cutting taxes for the middle class shouldn't be difficult, especially when Republicans claim they agree with the President on the issue. But some Republicans are still holding middle-class tax cuts hostage simply because they want to cut taxes for millionaires and billionaires.
Here's what's going on right now: President Obama is asking Congress to move forward on a plan that would prevent 98 percent of American families from paying higher taxes next year. The Senate has passed that bill, and the President is ready to sign it -- but the Republican leadership in the House of Representatives won't even bring the bill to the floor for a vote. House Democrats have filed a petition that would force a vote if it attracts 218 signatures.
If a bill has enough votes to pass, Congress should vote on it and pass it. It's a pretty simple proposition. And every Member of Congress who hasn't signed on to keep taxes low for the middle class needs to hear from you.
Call your representative today and ask them to sign the petition in support of a vote. Not sure who your representative is? http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/ or you can call the switchboard operator at 202-224-3121.
Here's a suggestion on what to say -- feel free to improvise and let your representative's office know why you're personally supporting the President's plan:
"Hi, I'm (your name here). As a voter from your district, I support the President's plan to extend tax cuts for 98 percent of American families -- $2,000 a year means a lot to me and to middle-class families here in Texas. I urge Representative Johnson to sign the petition forcing the House to vote on the Senate-passed bill, and to vote "yes" if it reaches the floor."
Once you've called your representative's office, please report back and let us know how it went:
http://my.barackobama.com/Report-Your-Call
Let's get one thing straight: If your taxes go up, Republicans will have made a conscious choice to let that happen. They'll have missed the opportunity to prevent it, just to cut taxes for the wealthy.
Republicans need to stop using the middle class as a bargaining chip. If they fail to act, a typical middle-class family of four will see a $2,200 tax hike starting in a few short weeks. Middle-class families could face some tough financial decisions simply because Republicans didn't want to ask the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans to pay their fair share.
That's not what President Obama and you campaigned on, and that's not what millions of Americans voted for just one month ago.
We know we can affect change in Washington when we raise our voices together. So pick up the phone and make a call -- your representative needs to hear from you.
Thanks,
Stephanie
Stephanie Cutter
Deputy Campaign Manager
Obama for America
P.S. -- Don't forget to tell us you made your voice heard. Report back here.
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