2025 U.S. Poverty Laser Talks
Domestic appropriations
Engage: I am deeply concerned that our slowing economy and the impacts of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act (OBBA) will force millions more Americans into poverty.
Problem: OBBBA will cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food assistance benefits for 4 million children, and force 15 million people off their Medicaid health insurance.
Inform: The FY26 budget is an opportunity to stand up and say “enough is enough.” Congress must protect American workers and families. They must demand full funding of essential anti-poverty programs, particularly Housing Choice Vouchers and WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children). OBBBA is bad policy that will hurt millions. Don’t make it worse by cutting vital services in the FY26 budget.
Call to Action: Will you stand up for Americans and insist that vital anti-poverty programs are fully funded in the FY26 budget? Will you also push for budget language that ensures funding is timely spent as intended by Congress?
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Engage: In the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Congress enacted the biggest cuts to nutrition assistance in our country’s history.
Problem: As a result, 4 million children and 500,000 seniors and adults with disabilities will lose access to vital food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Inform: SNAP helps 40 million Americans put food on the table each month. Most recipients are working families with children, elderly persons, and people with disabilities. The OBBBA cuts will force states to cut nutrition services. Also, burdensome work reporting requirements will erect roadblocks that deny children and families much needed help.
Call to Action: The Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025 would repeal the disastrous OBBBA cuts to SNAP. Will you stand up for families and children by co-sponsoring this legislation?
Child Tax Credit (CTC)
Engage: The “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act passed by Congress in July 2025 missed a crucial opportunity to protect children from poverty.
Problem: Congress could have helped 16 million children in families with low wages by expanding the Child Tax Credit (CTC). They chose not to.
Inform: Congress must fix this discrepancy as soon as possible. Here’s how:
- Make the CTC available to more families paid the lowest wages, by changing the “phase-in”.
- Correct the widening disparity between families already getting the full credit and those who are not.
- Remove the refundability cap so everyone gets the same credit amount.
- Make the credit available in monthly payments.
Call to Action: Investing in our families and workforce is the best way to achieve our shared goal of healthy and prosperous communities. In any tax legislation this year, will you support these much-needed improvements to the CTC?