World
In a rare call to action, the editorial board of the New York Times asked voters to call their senators to vote down tax bill.
Updated : Nov 30, 2017, 04:32 PM IST
The US Senate on Wednesday took a step toward passage of tax legislation that is a top White House priority, setting up a likely decisive vote later this week even though it was unclear if the bill had enough Republican support to become law.
Voicing their opinion against the proposed tax bill, in a rare move the editorial board of the New York Times called for action urging their readers to call seven Republican senators and tell them to vote down the bill.
According to a report on RT.com, the editorial board changed the bio of their @nytopinion Twitter handle to read, "temporarily taking over this acct. to urge the Senate to reject a tax bill that hurts the middle class and the nation's fiscal health."
This morning, The New York Times Editorial Board is tweeting here to urge the Senate to reject a tax bill that hurts the middle class & the nation's fiscal health. #thetaxbillhurts
— NYT Opinion (@nytopinion) November 29, 2017
In a series of tweets, the boards asked the 650,000 followers of the account to call the seven Republican senators who are considered on-the-fence about voting for the bill. The list includes Senator John McCain.
Now is the time to contact senators, if you haven’t done so already, about this tax cut plan. Find yours here: https://t.co/AkqImNKzhT #thetaxbillhurts pic.twitter.com/cNYsE6Rjrl
— NYT Opinion (@nytopinion) November 29, 2017
Using the #thetaxbillhurts, NYT editorial board tweeted several articles that specify information about the various provisions that would impact taxpayers.
The tax plan won’t bring corporate money and jobs back, it contains pressures to shift profit elsewhere. It “may well ensure that the United States economy is left behind once and for all.” #thetaxbillhurts https://t.co/voRTB9wUEA
— NYT Opinion (@nytopinion) November 29, 2017
What tax cut? Middle class families in California, New York and New Jersey will pay more because of the Senate bill’s elimination of long-standing state and local tax deductions. #thetaxbillhurts https://t.co/fwFUGIBegW
— NYT Opinion (@nytopinion) November 29, 2017
The move irked the Republican party. In response to the NYT campaign their Twitter account posted the number of New York Times and asked their followers to "let them know how you feel about their liberal bias."
Contact The New York Times, 844-698-6397, and let them know how you feel about their liberal bias. https://t.co/2K9IXMQPOz
— GOP (@GOP) November 29, 2017
Responding to the tweet, NYT editortial writer Vikas Bajaj tweeted,
It is the job of editorial writers & editorial boards to advocate for policies we agree with and against proposals we don't. That's what we were doing on @nytopinion today.
— Vikas Bajaj (@vikasbajaj) November 29, 2017
Republicans have a 52-48 majority in the 100-member Senate, giving them enough votes to approve the bill if they can hold together. Without Democratic support, Republicans can afford to lose no more than two of their own votes.
Democrats say the tax cuts are a giveaway to corporations and the wealthy at the expense of working Americans. Some Democrats have said Trump and his children would gain from the bill, which would repeal the estate tax on inherited wealth.
(With Reuters Inputs)