There is so much happening right now…
Health Care
First, while Maine Senator Susan Collins has announced that she cannot vote to support the Graham-Cassidy “health care” bill (bringing the number to three NOs), we are not out of the woods. Senate leadership keeps making changes to try to flip votes, and they have until September 30 to pass this legislation with a simple majority. We need to make sure that we have at least three Republican NOs so that Mike Pence cannot cast the deciding vote for passage.
So…keep the calls, e-mails, faxes, and any other communications to Senators Casey and Toomey coming! In case you are on the fence, read the post at How Graham-Cassidy “Health Care” Bill Would Hurt Pennsylvania.
ACTION: Tell Pennsylvania’s Senators to Say NO to Graham-Cassidy “Health Care” Bill
Gun Silencers
If this isn’t enough, the House is preparing to vote on the SHARE Act, legislation that would make gun silencers legal. This is not, as they claim, about protecting the hearing of hunters—this is being pushed by the National Rifle Association. We don’t need legislation that creates greater potential for gun violence.
Gun Silencers on Track to Become Legal—Tell Your Representative to Say NO
Pennsylvania Budget
In case you haven’t heard, Pennsylvania still does not have a budget. There are really two issues that are problematic with the revenue plan being pushed by the PA House:
- It raids dedicated accounts, claiming that it is merely “surplus funds” being shifted to help balance the budget. The problem? First, these accounts exist for the purpose for which they were created. Second, it is a one-time fix. These funds will not be available on a recurring basis.
- The revenue plan passed by the Senate contains a deal with the devil—in order to approve a severance tax on natural gas, they also approved a plan that, among other things, allows drillers to hire their own consultants to approve gas permits and strips the DEP of much of its power to protect PA citizens and environment.
Here are actions that address both of these problems:
Tell Your Representative: PA Needs a Responsible Budget with Recurring Revenue
Tell Your Representative: Support a Clean PA Budget that Protects Our Environment
DREAM Act
Finally, Trump’s elimination of the DACA program to protect immigrant youth and young adults brought into the country without documentation as children threatens the lives of approximately 800,000 young persons who know nothing but life in this country and want to stay and contribute. It also threatens to tear families apart. Many are rushing to try to renew their status before the October 5 deadline, but what we really need is legislation that will protect them moving forward. Some Representatives have filed a “discharge resolution” that would force House leadership to move this legislation. We need for you to tell your Representative to support this move.
Urge Your Representative to Push for Moving the DREAM Act
Thanks for your faithful advocacy!
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