Watch Your Money!
Dear Sisters,
The 118th Congress is underway. The first bill introduced by this Congress, if passed by the U.S. Senate, could directly impact you and your money. Some might argue that it’s a bunch of noise about nothing because the U.S. Senate is very unlikely to pass the bill and send it to the President to make it law. WE CAN is sharing this information so you can know the issues that are rising to the top and how they might impact you.
The Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act will eliminate $72 of the $80 billion in funding set aside in the Inflation Reduction Act; the Biden Administration intended for the Internal Revenue Service to hire more enforcement agents, update their technology, increase the number of wealthy folks audited, and improve the overall taxpayer experience.
On the face of it, the plan to increase enforcement and catch tax cheats (especially the wealthy who can hire folks to help them find loopholes and otherwise avoid paying taxes on all of their income and investment gains) should be something we could all support. Apparently not.
This first bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives with 221 Republicans voting yes and 210 Democrats voting no. This first shot across the bow lets us know that this Congress is not likely to do anything to lead to wealthy individuals paying their fair share of taxes.
The House also introduced the Fair Tax Act of 2023, which would eliminate income taxes, payroll taxes, and estate and gift taxes and replace them all with a 30 percent national sales tax. You read that right, 30 percent tax on all goods and services purchased by everyone in the nation. I’m not sure what you think about that, but my budget can’t withstand a 30 percent increase on EVERYTHING.
For today’s Mobilize Monday action, please reach out to your U.S. Senators and let them know how you feel about both actions—limiting the IRS’s ability to do its job fairly and creating a 30 percent national income tax. Tell them that American families cannot afford a 30 percent national income tax and demand that they rethink their plans to overhaul the IRS.
The Fight for Reproductive Health and Rights Goes On
Today we should be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the historic Roe vs. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision giving women the right to determine what happens to our bodies. Instead, the nation finds itself in a fight for women’s lives. Thirteen states have an outright ban on abortion, and one state has a six-week ban. Other states are considering making changes to their state laws which would force too many women to make dramatic and dangerous decisions to protect their right to choose. Please study what reproductive health and rights laws are in your state and donate to the National Network of Abortion Funds to help sisters gain access to the reproductive health care they need.
Get on the Map ~ Today!
Do you work for an organization seeking to improve outcomes for Black, Indigenous, Latin, Asian, Arab, Pacific Islander, and other women and girls of color? If so, WE CAN invites you to Get on the Map!
WE CAN is looking for organizations that are influencing policies at the local, state, and national levels to become a part of a national movement to activate women of color. Complete this short form to let WE CAN and sisters across the country know how they can join your efforts to WIN more funding, better programs, and more support for women and girls of color.
In solidarity,
