RESULTS Weekly Update August 5, 2025
Quote of the Week
“Food and health care are human rights, not leverage for the powerful.”
– Hawaii advocate Tyrone Jacobs, Jr., in a July 27 letter to the editor in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser
(Is this newsletter too long; didn’t read (TL;DR) the whole thing? Scroll to the bottom for the most important points or the “TL;DR”)
Join tonight’s Policy Forum on where we are and where we’re going
As the congressional August recess begins, we want to make sure you are prepared as you talk with lawmakers during the recess (see below). Part of that is wading through all myriad things Congress has been doing this summer. Rescissions, reconciliation, appropriations — it makes your head spin. So, please join us tonight, August 5 at 8:00 p.m. ET for a Policy Forum to discuss where we are and where we go from here. RESULTS staff persons Colin Puzo Smith and David Plasterer will break down these complex budget processes, explain how they affect our issues, and help you navigate the path ahead. Bring your questions and we will do the best we can to bring some order to the chaos Register for the webinar today!
Action Matters: Talk to lawmakers during the August recess
Congress is on recess through Labor Day, making this the most important time of the year to engage with your representatives. With five full weeks back in their home districts, members of Congress have more availability to meet with constituents. That means you have a prime opportunity to get poverty issues on their radar.
Whether through in-district meetings or attending public events, this is your chance to speak face-to-face with lawmakers about the policies that matter most. If you haven’t met with your members yet this year, don’t miss this window to build relationships and hold them accountable.
The meetings matter. Will Congress finally stand up to the Trump Administration’s continued attacks on foreign aid? These recess meetings are a critical moment to remind lawmakers why investments in global health, nutrition, and education must be protected — and prioritized — in the FY26 budget. Are lawmakers truly aware of the harm caused by the recent reconciliation bill? Urge your lawmakers to take action that reduces the damage, starting with ensuring the full Child Tax Credit is available to low-income families. And let them know that enough is enough — no more cuts, no more rescissions.
Contact local schedulers now to request a sit-down meeting, and ask if your members of Congress are hosting any town halls or public events. Once you’ve got something on the calendar, please let RESULTS staff know. We’ll help you prepare with key talking points and coaching.
Recess meetings are also a perfect entry point for new advocates. Be sure to invite them to join you. You can find tips and materials on our Action and Allies page.
Let’s make this recess count!
Action Matters: Use your media power during the recess
Too many people believe they have no power — that their voices don’t matter. But that’s simply not true. Every single person has tremendous influence. Why else would lawmakers pass bills quietly, delay unpopular decisions until after elections, or twist district maps beyond recognition? Because they know you have power.
The greatest threat to democracy isn’t the politicians or the courts. It’s disengagement. When we participate, we strengthen democracy.
There are many ways to take action — lobby meetings are one. Media is another. In 2025 alone, RESULTS volunteers have published over 300 media pieces across the country. That work has made a real impact. Your media helped narrow the vote on the reconciliation bill, removing some of its harshest elements. Your advocacy pushed the administration to release withheld foreign aid funds. And your voices helped persuade House appropriators to prioritize global health and education, against the president’s own budget.
Now, with lawmakers back in their home districts for the next month, your local media matters more than ever. Imagine your member of Congress opening the morning paper and seeing your letter urging support for the Global Fund. Or a media piece reminding them how the reconciliation bill would harm families in your state. That kind of visibility gets their attention. You have the power to influence real change. Don’t surrender it to apathy or doubt. Use it.
TL;DR (too long; didn’t read): Register for tonight’s Policy Forum; lobby this August congressional recess on our issues; and get published this month.
Quick Links: Action Center, Events Calendar, National Webinar recordings