No on HR1: the human cost is too high

The Republicans’ proposed budget reconciliation bill (HR1) would inflict catastrophic harm on millions of Americans. Voting for this bill means depriving kids of meals at home and at school, pricing families out of healthcare coverage, and forcing nursing homes to shut down—leaving our most vulnerable without care. At the same time, voting for HR 1 means giving the Administration more money and Congressional approval to continue its dangerous, unconstitutional ICE activity: literal kidnappings of American citizens, construction of dehumanizing domestic detention centers, and deportations without due process to inhumane foreign prisons. A record number of amendments were proposed as Democrats tried to reduce the harm of the bill, but most were blocked. The Senate eventually required a tie-breaking vote to pass the bill, which was amended to persuade Republicans like Sen. Murkowski but not to represent the largest group of voters: those who voted for someone other than President Trump. This is an unconscionable silencing of half the country. Do not prioritize huge tax breaks for the wealthy (which the bill does not pay for in spite of the draconian cuts) over the wellbeing of your constituents. I ask you most emphatically: stand on the right side of history. Reject HR1 and convince your colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do the same. The human cost is far too high.