Friendship Action Network
Tell Congress: DC’s money belongs to DC!
Urgent Action! Please join Friendship Place in Free DC’s action to stop the Senate from taking DC’s Earned Income Tax Credits and Child Care Tax credits away! Please call and encourage your friends across the country to join in!
Overview
Last year, Congress froze $1.1 billion of DC’s local money. Now they’re trying to interfere in our local budget again.
In December, DC Council opted to keep our local tax code independent from drastic federal tax changes that would have led to shortfalls without quick action. Every state has the option to do this, and many states opt to make different choices than the federal government based on their own budget outlook.With the funds protected by this change, DC Council created a tax credit for families struggling with poverty. We know strategies like this are part of how we make DC communities safer and stronger for everyone.
Congress is now attempting to erase it. Representative Brandon
Gill (R-TX) and Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) have introduced H.J. Res 142 and
S.J. Res 102 to “disapprove” this local law and block DC from using our own local money to support children and families here. This effort is anti-family, it’s destabilizing for DC’s finances, and it’s wrong.
We need your help to stop this interference in DC’s local funds. Use the tools below to call priority members of Congress between now and Feb. 4.
Call List
Use this spreadsheet to start calling through priority Senators and Representatives.
Pick Senators/Representatives from states to which you have a personal connection, or just pick an office which hasn’t been called yet. Then find the appropriate script below – we have versions for DC residents as well as allies.
One note for DC residents: you may be told by a staffer that you are not a constituent. Do not accept this. Senators are voting on overturning laws by and for the people of the District of Columbia. They should hear from DC residents about it!
Note what you hear in the comments field. Aim to call at least 5 offices if you can. It’s okay to repeat.
Call Script for DC Residents
- Hello, my name is [Your name] and I am calling to voice my perspective on an upcoming piece of legislation. How are you doing today?
- Give them a chance to respond.
- Thanks! I’m a resident of the District of Columbia and I am calling today to ask [Senator/Representative’s name] to VOTE NO on H.J.Res 142 or S.J.Res 102, the disapproval resolution to overturn recent updates to DC’s tax code.
- Do you know about this bill?
- If the respondent tries to refuse to take your call, remind them that with no Senator to represent us all Senators are our Senators. Do not take no for an answer.
- Sen. Rick Scott and Rep. Brandon Gill introduced a resolution to undo DC’s recent changes to our tax code. These changes ensured consistency in our local budget in the wake of the drastic changes Congress passed in the spring.
- In the last year 11 other States have made similar changes to their tax code.
- The changes codify our local Child Tax Credit, expand the local Earned Income Tax Credit, and would help lift 1 in 5 children in DC out of poverty.
- These changes do not affect anyone outside of DC, and are just an excuse for Republicans to give their wealthy friends in DC another handout.
- DC deserves the same power to determine taxation as every other community in the United States.
- This effort from Congressman Gill and Senator Scott is anti-family, destabilizing to DC’s finances, and it’s wrong.
- Can I count on [Senator/Representative Name] to VOTE NO on S.J.Res 102 or H.J.Res 142?
- IF YES:
- Would your office like more information so that your member can be an outspoken advocate for the people of DC?
- IF NO:
- What information can we send to help them make a decision?
- “Could you please read that back to me so I can make sure you didn’t miss anything?”
- Thank you for your time. Have a good day.
Call Script for Allies
- Hello, my name is [Your name] and I live in [Your state]. How are you doing today?
- Give them a chance to respond.
- I am calling today to ask [Senator / Representative Name] to VOTE NO on the disapproval resolution to overturn DC’s local tax code. Do you know about this bill?
- If the respondent tries to refuse to take your call, remind them that with no voting Representative or Senator to represent DC all Representatives/Senators are our Representative/Senators. Do not take no for an answer.
- Remind them that if Congress wants to interfere in local policies, they need to hear from local people.
- Sen. Rick Scott and Rep. Brandon Gill introduced a resolution to undo DC’s recent changes to our tax code. These changes ensured consistency in our local budget in the wake of the drastic changes Congress passed in the spring.
- In the last year 11 other States have made similar changes to their tax code.
- The changes codify our local Child Tax Credit, expand the local Earned Income Tax Credit, and would help lift 1 in 5 children in DC out of poverty.
- These changes do not affect anyone outside of DC, and are just an excuse for Republicans to give their wealthy friends in DC another handout.
- DC deserves the same power to determine taxation as every other community in the United States.
- This effort from Congressman Gill and Senator Scott is anti-family, destabilizing to DC’s finances, and it’s wrong.
- Can I count on [Senator/Representative Name] to VOTE NO on S.J.Res 102 or H.J.Res 142?
- IF YES:
- Would your office like more information so that your member can be an outspoken advocate for the people of DC?
- IF NO:
- What information can we send to help them make a decision?
- “Could you please read that back to me so I can make sure you didn’t miss anything?”
- Thank you for your time. Have a good day.
Logging Your Calls
After you complete a call, make a note in the spreadsheet, and tag @congress@freedcproject.org so we see what you heard.
Spread the Word
We want your help spreading the word to friends in these priority districts and states. Once you are done making your calls, share this guide and ask friends to contact their members of Congress with the tools at https://freedcproject.org/money.
