{"articles":[{"id":20671,"title":"The DC: 💰 Should we repeal the estate tax? Should we expand Social Security?","html_content":"

by Causes | 1.31.19

Welcome to Thursday, citizens...

Remember the travel ban? The one first ordered two years ago?

Well, it seems the ban separated thousands of U.S. citizens from their spouses and minor children, according a report by the Cato Institute.

For this reason (and others), a bicameral group of Democrats recently introduced a bill to undo the president's executive order blocking travel from Muslim-majority countries.

“President Trump’s travel ban was born out of fear and hostility and will not improve our national security,” said Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE). “Denying a group of people entry in our country based on their religion or nationality is not only unjust—it’s un-American.\"

But the Supreme Court in July upheld the travel ban, and rejected claims that the ban was motivated by religious bias.

And you? Do you support the travel ban?

On the Radar

\nA trio of Republican Senators have introduce a plan to repeal the federal estate tax, eliminating a tax on a small number of the wealthiest Americans. The GOP-passed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, signed into law in December 2017, weakened the estate tax but did not eliminate it: currently, couples with $22 million can pass on their estates without facing the \"death tax.\" Now, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Sens. Charles E. Grassley (R-IA), John Thune (R-SD), and members of the Senate Finance Committee have joined forces to introduce legislation to completely do away with the levy. Should the U.S. repeal the estate tax?\n

Under the Radar

\nA group of Democrats have introduced the Social Security 2100 Act, which would increase Social Security benefits across the board and extend the program’s solvency “through the 21st century and beyond.” “While Republicans are trying to privatize or dismantle Social Security to pay for their expensive tax cuts for billionaires, I’m fighting to honor our commitments by expanding and preserving the system for retirees and working Americans,” said Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ). But Bradley Blakeman, a former member of the George W. Bush administration, said that what's needed \"is a bipartisan effort by Democrats and Republicans in Congress to work with the White House to find ways to control the rising costs of the three big entitlement programs.\" Do you support the 2100 Act to increase Social Security benefits?\n

Your Gov at a Glance 👀

The White House: President Trump in D.C.

To be announced.

The House of Representatives: Out

The House will next vote on Wednesday, February 6th.

The Senate: In

\nDebating amendments to a bill to increase sanctions on supporters of the Assad regime in Syria, strengthen alliances with Israel & Jordan, and counter the anti-Israel boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement.

What You're Saying

Here's how you're answering Should the House Express That Government Shutdowns Are Bad & Shouldn’t Happen?

(Follow ManfromNebraska's comment here.)

(Follow Carol's comment here.)

But wait, there's more!

And, in the End…

Repealing the estate tax, expanding Social Security...who's going to pay for all of it?

The Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) outlook on the budget and economy for the next decade and beyond projects that future growth in the federal deficit will be driven by rising mandatory spending on Medicare and Social Security.

Those deficits will in turn cause the national debt to grow by $12 trillion over the next decade to an estimated $33 trillion.

According to our partners at USAFacts, the Social Security Old Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund is expected to be exhausted in 2032. The Disability Insurance Trust Fund will start running a deficit in 2020.

So: Should Congress reform Medicare & Social Security?

If you could steal any piece from a museum what would you take? I'd love to hear your answer for Inspire Your Heart with Art Day...

—Josh Herman

Talk to us via email at contact [at] countable.us. And don’t forget to keep in touch @Countable.

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