Super Congress???

A message from MoveOn.org Civic Action:
"Super Congress."

Sounds pretty good, right? Better than regular Congress. 

Unfortunately, it's not. In reality, it's a dangerous group of 12 members of Congress that was established as part of the debt "deal" and could slash more than $1.5 trillion from critical government programs, including Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.¹

Our best hope of making sure that doesn't happen is to get Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to appoint six Democrats who will stand strong against Republican hostage-taking. 

But even with Republican leaders openly saying that they won't appoint anyone who would consider ending one penny of tax breaks for the rich², Democrats are indicating they'll push for compromise rather than principled stands.³ Sen. Reid even said he wants people who will "make hard choices but won't be locked in."⁴

These critical appointments could come in the next few days, so we have to make sure that Sen. Reid and Rep. Pelosi only appoint Democrats who agree that the poor and middle class have already sacrificed too much and that it's long past time the rich and corporations pay their share. Will you sign our joint petition with Rebuild the Dream?

Click here to sign the petition to Sen. Reid and Rep. Pelosi.

The petition says: "We urge you to only appoint Democrats to the Super Congress who will stand strong against cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, and who will end tax breaks and close loopholes to make sure the rich and corporations finally pay their share."

The debt deal struck earlier this week locked in a first round of cuts to critical programs, but it also left a lot unresolved. That's where the Super Congress comes in. They'll decide whether the next round of deficit reduction will happen on the backs of the middle and working class, or by making sure millionaires and billionaires to pay their share.

And because the Super Congress' recommendations can't be amended or filibustered, what they decide is critically important.⁵ Since the Super Congress only needs a simple majority to report out a recommendation, it only takes six Republicans and one Democrat to pass a plan that cuts Social Security and Medicare instead of closing tax loopholes for the rich.

The only way we'll win this battle is if we send the right people to fight it. Can you help make sure Sen. Reid and Rep. Pelosi only appoint Democrats who are ready to make the rich and corporations pay their share—people who know that the poor and middle class have already sacrificed too much and are willing to fight to protect us.

Click below to add your name to the petition:

http://civ.moveon.org/supercongress/?id=29523-18623853-ni9BdJx&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Daniel, Wes, Michael, Joan, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "8 ways the super committee is not super for retirement," Reuters, August 5, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=262729&id=29523-18623853-ni9BdJx&t=5

2. "Democrats Preparing For Another Stalemate Over The New 'Super Committee'," Business Insider, August 4, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=262730&id=29523-18623853-ni9BdJx&t=6

3. "Puzzled Dems ask: Why, oh why, won't Republicans be flexible?" The Washington Post, August 4, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=262731&id=29523-18623853-ni9BdJx&t=7

4. "The Morning Plum," The Washington Post, August 4, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=262732&id=29523-18623853-ni9BdJx&t=8

5. "'Super Congress': Debt Ceiling Negotiators Aim To Create New Legislative Body," The Huffington Post, July 24, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=262733&id=29523-18623853-ni9BdJx&t=9