Keep Up the Pressure on the Tax Bill and Support for Dreamers

(edited from the Indivisible Guide)

Trump Tax Scam

This week, the conference committees (read our conference 101 explainer) will meet and begin to resolve the differences between the House and Senate tax bills. There are enough differences between the two bills that they face real challenges in reaching a compromise that works for enough of their members in both houses. Senators Collins (R-ME) and Flake (R-AZ) both claimed to receive assurances from GOP leadership that their concerns would be addressed before a final vote, if they voted yes on the Senate’s version last week.

This bill is NOT a done deal. Your voice can make a difference in this fight if you keep up the pressure. Here’s what you can do:

1. Schedule a visit to your member of Congress’ office. Check our map to see if there’s already an event in your area, or check out our event organizing guide to host one yourself!
   
2. Call your Senators now at 1-855-980-2350. If you have Democratic Senators, let them know you’re thankful they voted against the tax scam and you hope they stay strong when the bill comes back from conference.

Demand deportation relief for Dreamers

Last week, both the House and Senate passed a “continuing resolution” (CR) to keep the government open for another two weeks — without including a clean DREAM Act.

Let us be clear: a vote for the CR was a vote to deport Dreamers. And plenty of Democrats in both the House and Senate failed Dreamers.

Senate Democrats had real leverage in this fight, but just eight in the Democratic caucus kept their promises to DREAMers, held their ground, and voted no: Kamala Harris (CA), Mazie Hirono (HI), Ed Markey (MA), Elizabeth Warren (MA), Cory Booker (NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Jeff Merkley (OR), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT).

As a result, in the next two weeks, 1,708 Dreamers will lose their protection under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, an Obama-era executive action that allowed them to apply for work permits and live without fear of deportation.

Unlike Sen. Gillibrand, Sen. Schumer voted for the CR (find the list here), so we need to demand he make it right by voting against the next CR (sometime the week of December 18). Here’s how to take action:

• Read our call scripts on dreamerpledge.org.

Democrats who voted to approve the CR need to hear from you and that you want them to use their leverage. Republicans who don’t support Dreamers need to know that you’re watching and demand protection from deportation for Dreamers.