The current budget/tax plan process is somewhat confusing as the House attempts to create a budget/tax plan. The GOP moderates held out against the right on Medicaid but there will be some cuts, primarily directed at women’s reproductive healthcare and Medicaid expansion in the states. Care for both trans youth and the undocumented will be eliminated.
The proposal also creates an expedited natural gas permitting process so you can figure out what happens to green energy. And electric vehicles lost out as well. Ways and Means is the third committee, focusing on tax cuts, which would be permanent with increases in standard deductions. So the wealthy make out more than okay.
The proposal includes an increase in SALT, an investment fund for USC kids, a special deduction for seniors and no taxes on tips, both for four years. The Reconciliation process fast tracks the bill so only 51 Senators are need to agree with a final House passage. The question then becomes, what happens next. Confused yet?
Prayer for the Day
While politicians make decisions that affect our lives,
Let us do more than pray for the poor, O God;
While wealth and power dictate how we will live,
Let us do more than shake our heads, O Lord.
Rouse us, O Holy One, to call these elected into account,
And do not let us simply accept their false piety.
In the name of the One who calls us into account,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Congressional leadership has agreed to work with this rogue White House to pass a budget that would slash funding for essential, life-sustaining programs in order to give tax breaks to billionaires and more money to militarized attacks on immigrant communities and the war economy.
Rev William Barber, leader of Moral Mondays
In the unceasing ebb and flow of justice and oppression we must all dig channels as best we may, that at the propitious moment somewhat of the swelling tide may be conducted to the barren places of life.
Jane Addams, social reformer (1860-1935)
Take away from me the noise of your songs, I will not listen to the melody of your harps
But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever flowing stream.
Amos 5:23-24