Wednesday, January 02, 2019

Call NOW

This is one reason we need a new Dem party and here's another about The Perils of Pay Go (from Climate Hawks Vote).

Tomorrow, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on its Rules package for the 116th Congress. Currently, a misguided pay-as-you-go (or pay-go) provision is included in the package, which would limit progressives’ ability to tackle climate justice and pass a Green New Deal.


Pay-go was hatched up by conservatives to tie the government’s hands and limit the ability to pass smart investments that will make Americans’ lives better. Republicans demand that Democrats’ proposals conform to pay-go -- but ignore their rules when it benefits big corporations (remember the tax scam bill that blew a hole in the deficit?) Pay-go could kill a Green New Deal package before it even gets a shot.

These times call for bold action and flexibility to do what’s necessary -- not kowtowing to corporate special interests and Republican talking points. The House can write and pass deficit-neutral measures -- but the pay-go rule means that Democrats are disarming before beginning to fight.

Progressives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ro Khanna have already signaled that they will vote NO on Pay-Go. With the new Congress getting sworn in tomorrow, Democrats have an opportunity to fight for the progressive agenda on which they campaigned. We must demand that they follow through on those campaign promises.


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