URGENT: Budget Reconciliation Bill Action Needed Now

11/08/2005

If you are looking for something political to do that will only take a few minutes, please read below and then act by calling or emailing Gil Gutknecht.

Thanks,
Ken Tschumper

THIS IS A RED ALERT FOR DEMOCRATS, GREENS AND PROGRESSIVES

This week (Nov 6th), on Wednesday, the House of Representatives will take up the Budget Reconciliation Bill. It passed the Senate last week 52-47 (with five Republicans voting against it). The Bill seeks to cut domestic spending to free up money for hurricane relief. Both the House and Senate versions have provisions to allow for oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and equally important, cuts in Medicaid, Medicare, home health care, food stamps, agriculture and conservation programs. The House bill also has big cuts in federal student loan programs and will allow offshore oil drilling much closer to Florida than previously.

The Senate version cuts $35 billion. The House bill seeks a $54 billion reduction in domestic spending. Both bills contain $70 billion in tax cuts, mostly for the wealthy. The reality is that spending on programs for lower income and poor Americans will be cut in order to provide disaster assistance while wealthy Americans get more tax cuts.


The Republican House leadership may not have the votes to pass this. Moderate House Republicans are very worried about the 2006 election because of the War in Iraq, the many corruption scandals and Bush’s low approval ratings (37%). This is likely to be very much a party line vote. If just 16 Republicans vote against it, it is likely to fail. If it does fail, oil drilling in ANWR will not go forward and the cuts in important domestic programs will need to be reconsidered.


A few of us have launched an eleventh hour effort to convince Congressman Gil Gutknecht to vote against it. In recent months he has been trying to appeal to moderates. He has bucked the Bush Administration on drug importation, and earlier this summer voted against the Central American Free Trade Agreement, the only Minnesota Republican congressman to do so.  We may be able to convince him to vote no on the Reconciliation Bill. Please call or e-mail Gil on Monday or Tuesday. Request that he vote against the Budget Reconciliation Bill. His number (toll free) is 1.800.862.8632. or 507.252.9841. His e-mail is


Many people in southern Minnesota, especially seniors and low income people will be adversely affected by the Budget Reconciliation Bill if it becomes law. If you care about ANWR or care about some of these important domestic programs, commit just five minutes to this effort before Wednesday and engage in a little political activism by contacting Gutknecht. Our goal is 500 calls or emails. Among our small group, we have several hundred names that are being e-mailed to. Feel free to forward it to people you know who may be willing to help.

Crysta Parkin
cell (507) 398-8670