Despite a setback in the form of the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” the fight for a fairer tax code continues
On July 4, Congress dealt us all a blow by passing the deceptively named “Big, Beautiful Bill.” This bill is bound to leave an ugly mark on humanity and is the cornerstone of a destructive economic agenda intent on escalating inequality at home and abroad. This legislation was designed to help the ultra-rich get even richer while slashing access to health care, food assistance, and other programs for millions of Americans. Estimates show the healthcare cuts alone could lead to over 50,000 deaths annually.
People across the country are rightly upset by the passage of this cruel bill. The movement against billionaire tax cuts is growing stronger. We may not have won this particular fight in the halls of Congress, but we fought hard and made some gains. We at Oxfam know that change takes time. Progress is still within our grasp, and the efforts we’ve made can lay the foundation for major policy changes down the road.
Billionaire tax breaks are not popular
Oxfam has been working for years to influence lawmakers and shift the public narrative on taxes and inequality. We have been vocal about the rise of oligarchy and tirelessly advocated against tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy at the expense of ordinary people.
Public opinion is clear: A new survey from Oxfam and Greenpeace found that nine out ten people want to tax the super-rich. People want the ultra-rich to pay their fair share and for that money to be invested in our communities. This marks a powerful shift in what people believe is possible.
Just a year ago, discussions about “oligarchy” were relegated to academic spaces and now it’s part of our everyday conversation. That cultural change matters. It sets the stage for political change, and it reflects a growing demand for an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few. The support for this moment has been growing and Oxfam and our supporters have been central to that.
People power pushes us forward
Your support throughout this campaign fueled our advocacy and the efforts of a global movement fighting back against the billionaire class. We’re so grateful for the Oxfam community that has been with us every step of this fight to hold the powerful accountable and build a more equal future. Here are just a few of our achievements along this journey:
- Oxfam, along with partners Avaaz, Americans for Tax Fairness, and Patriotic Millionaires, delivered over 200,000 petition signatures—signed by supporters representing all 50 states—to Congress asking for legislators to prioritize taxing the ultra-rich and corporations over slashing essential services for ordinary Americans.
- Since January, 65,000 supporters like you responded to our calls to action by contacting their Members of Congress to demand that the ultra-rich pay their fair share in taxes.
- Oxfam’s Sisters on the Planet Network, together with our Action Network, held over 140 lobby meetings with lawmakers across 37 states, focused on harmful tax proposals.
- The newly launched Oxfam Action Network an Equal Future engaged lawmakers across the country.
- Our billionaire yacht tour to rally attention to the tax bill and apply pressure made 13 stops, at Congressional districts from Peekskill, NY, to Rancho Santa Margarita, California, to major events such as Bonnaroo.
The movement is gaining steam globally
Tax inequality is a global problem—and requires global solutions. Oxfam as a global confederation advocates for a fair global tax code. Many countries are making strides in the effort to ensure the richest finally pay their fair share of taxes.
There’s growing momentum behind a G20 proposal to tax the ultra-rich. We saw a historic first last summer as the world’s largest economies agreed to work together to tax the ultra-rich—a critical development given that international cooperation is essential to the success of any plan to raise taxes on the very wealthy. This was backed by more than 1.7 million people around the world. It also secured support from former 20 heads of state–a major win that strengthens our call for action. This progress was unimaginable just five years ago.
Make no mistake: some governments worldwide, too, are responding to people and providing leadership. Brazil, Spain, and South Africa launched a new coalition to tax the ultra-rich. People around the world are pushing for more countries to reject the corrupting political influence of oligarchies.
It may feel like these wins are small compared to the challenging picture, but sometimes small victories help lay the foundation for major policy changes down the road. Oxfam is looking to the future.
Now that this brutal tax bill has passed, we are shifting to the next phase of the fight. We’re holding the administration and Members of Congress accountable for siding with the ultra-rich at the expense of ordinary people. With public support growing, we’re committed to pushing for fair taxes on extreme wealth and an economy that works for all of us, not just the wealthy few.