Dear MoveOn member,

Call (your Congress critter) and tell him (or her) to vote no on the fiscal deal, which makes the Bush tax breaks for the rich permanent on earnings up to $450,000.

Breaking news: At 2 a.m. this morning, the Senate passed legislation on the fiscal showdown that permanently extends the Bush tax breaks on earnings up to $450,000 a year and permanently ends the Bush tax breaks for those who earn more.

The bill also sets up yet another fiscal showdown by delaying for only two months the so-called "sequester"—a package of cuts in military and domestic spending opposed by both parties. And the GOP will likely demand cuts in Social Security and Medicare when we reach the February deadline.

On the good side, the bill extends unemployment insurance for one year and the Earned Income Tax Credit for the poor for five years.1 Still, economist Robert Reich called the deal "lousy."2

Now the bill goes to the House, where its fate is uncertain. The House should reject this deal and instead introduce and pass a tax cut for 98% of Americans on the first day of the new Congress.

Can you call Representative (you rep) right now? Tell him (or her): "Vote no on the Senate tax bill. Do not extend the Bush tax breaks for people making more than $250,000 a year."

Here's where to call:

Representative (your rep)
Phone: (your rep's office phone)

Then, please report your call by clicking here:

http://civ.moveon.org/call?tg=FHCA_01&cp_id=1875&id=60234-1341996-oJt69Rx&t=2

MoveOn members have had two clear, simple lines throughout the fiscal negotiations: Tax rates on those making more than $250,000 a year must return to Clinton-era levels. No benefit cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. When Republicans tried to cut Social Security, MoveOn members responded immediately and loudly, and those cuts came off the table. We can't let up now, and neither should Democrats in Congress.

Thanks for all you do.