Public Policy: Reconciliation Bill
Today, the United States Senate is voting on its version of the reconciliation bill. The bill cuts trillions of dollars in funding for Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), contains harmful work requirements for recipients, limits what states can do for legal immigrants, and shifts costs for the SNAP program to states, jeopardizing funding for YWCA programs. On Saturday, June 28, YWCA USA sent a letter to all Senators in opposition to this bill. We are asking you to join us.
Recent polling shows widespread opposition to cutting Medicaid along with other basic needs programs, with 4 out of 5 registered voters, including nearly 60% of Republicans, 88% of Independents, and 92% of Democrats, opposing cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. And both Democratic and Republican United States Senators have spoken out against the harm this bill will cause. Listen to Sen. Thom Tillis’s speech yesterday (R-NC) against this bill.
We strongly urge you to contact you Senators and urge them to vote NO on this bill. Your input is invaluable to them as they make decisions on this bill.
EMAIL INSTRUCTIONS:
You will have to send two emails-one to each Senate office:
Name: Andrew Rothe
Title: Legislative Director (Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH))
Email Address: andrew_rothe@moreno.senate.gov
Name: Maggie Ward
Title: Legislative Director (Sen. Jon Husted(R-OH))
Email Address: maggie_ward@husted.senate.gov
EMAIL DRAFT:
Dear xx,
YWCA [insert name] serves women, girls, and families in [your state], and we are reaching out to express our concerns regarding the Senate Reconciliation bill. We strongly urge the Senator to Vote no on this bill.
We are very concerned that the cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will negatively impact our clients-your constituents as well as our state more broadly. As a direct service provider, we know that vital entitlement programs such as Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) help our state's men, women, and children, including YWCA clients, veteran’s, elderly individuals, and adults and children with disabilities. A cut of more than a trillion dollars to Medicaid and SNAP will have devastating consequences for them and our state.
I have attached the letter the YWCA USA has sent in opposition to this bill to this email in case you didn’t get a chance to review it. We join with YWCA USA asking the Senator to please vote no on this bill and oppose all attempts to cut, cap, freeze, or enact harmful programmatic changes, including eligibility changes, to programs that help YWCAs, our clients, and others in our state.
Please contact [insert name, title, at contact information] at our YWCA if you have any questions, want additional information, or have thoughts on how we can partner with you to improve the lives of your constituents.
Sincerely,
PHONE CALL INSTRUCTIONS:
Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and follow the prompts to speak with your Senator. You will have to make two calls - one to each of your Senators. Ohio Senators are Sen. Bernie Moreno and Sen. John Husted.
Or, call their legislative director directly at (202) 224-2315 (Sen. Bernie Moreno) and (202) 224-3353 (Sen. John Husted.
PHONE SCRIPT:
My name is _________________, and I am a constituent.
YWCA (insert name) provides vital programs and services to women and families in our state.
As the (insert your title) at the YWCA, I am extremely concerned about the impact the Senate reconciliation bill will have on our clients and entire state.
The bill cuts trillions of dollars in Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-programs that are essential sources of support for our clients and other vulnerable individuals in our state.
I am asking the Senator to please vote no on this harmful legislation and to oppose all attempts to enact harmful programmatic changes, including eligibility changes, to programs that help YWCAs clients and others in our state.
Thank you