RESULTS Weekly Update August 12, 2025

Quote of the Week

“Reliable predictions are that 4.5 million children will die in the next five years who would, otherwise, have lived. I wonder which one of those children was a waste? Which was a fraud? Which was abuse?

— RESULTS South Kitsap/Gig Harbor (WA) volunteer Beth Wilson in an August 6 letter to the editor in the Kitsap Sun

(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”)

Action Matters: Your advocacy is resistance

With recent events—the passage of deep budget cuts, ICE abductions of immigrants, a concentration camp in the Everglades, and now a power grab in Washington—it’s natural to feel discouraged, angry, and afraid. Many people understandably worry our democracy is slipping away. Many wonder: what’s the point of advocacy when the system itself feels under threat?

We understand. At RESULTS, we feel the same fear, frustration, and grief that so many of you do. But we also know that the most dangerous thing we could do is give in or give up.

Resistance takes many forms—peaceful protests, legal challenges, campaigning for pro-democracy candidates, and advocacy. None of these is perfect on its own, but together they create the resilience a healthy democracy needs.

Advocacy is our lane. It’s not flashy or loud, but it is persistent, strategic, and effective. For 45 years, RESULTS advocates have proven that democracy works when people engage. When you meet with members of Congress, you show them that dialogue, participation, and problem-solving are still possible, even in polarized times. While progress is always our goal, sometimes our best strategy is holding the line. Protecting what is important today so we can build a better tomorrow.

And again, your voice in this process is critical right now. Every August, you have the unique chance to connect with lawmakers face-to-face. These conversations can turn abstract budget lines into real stories about aspirations, grit, and people striving to thrive.

This month, you can show your members of Congress how programs like the Global Fund, Gavi, and other foreign aid initiatives strengthen global health, save lives, and advance education. You can remind them that SNAP, Medicaid, and the Child Tax Credit help millions of Americans provide family stability while building financial independence. Cutting funding doesn’t just trim budgets—it builds barriers to success, and signals that we don’t value people’s potential.

By bringing these stories forward, you’re not just defending vital programs, you’re strengthening democracy itself. You’re proving that government works best when it invests in people’s ability to succeed. That message is vital in these challenging times.

Please contact local schedulers now to request a meeting during this month’s recess. You can find updated lobby materials on our Action and Allies page. Also inquire if lawmakers are hosting any town halls or public events. Once you’ve got a meeting or event scheduled, please contact RESULTS staff so we can help you get ready. And don’t forget! Recess meetings are the perfect entry point for new advocates—invite them to join you in action.

Also remember that with lawmakers back in their home districts, your local media has a bigger impact. Write letters urging Congress to support a strong Global Fund replenishment or highlight how the reconciliation law harms families in your state. You’ve gotten 333 media pieces published so far this year. Add to that total today. See our Action Center for templates to get started.

Items of note

• Read about the recent Fellowship Conference. Read and see highlights from RESULTS Fellows’ trip to Washington last month! And remember, we are taking new applications for the 2026 Fellowship class.
• It’s National Make a Will Month. Making a planned gift to RESULTS is a great way to continue your commitment to ending poverty into the future. Learn about planned giving at org/donate/planned-giving or contact RESULTS Director of Development Melissa Strobel. Please let us know if you’re including RESULTS in your plans so we can welcome you into the RESULTS Legacy Society!
• Get caught up on this summer’s legislative frenzy. If you can’t tell a rescission from a reconciliation from an appropriation, be sure to check out our new blog post explaining it all. Also, watch the August 5 policy forum on these topics.
• Did you see our 2024 annual report? Check out the amazing work you did last year!

TL;DR (too long; didn’t read): Get lobby meetings and media during the August recess; read about the Fellowship Conference; include RESULTS in your planned giving;learn about the legislative process here and here; check out our 2024 annual report.

Quick Links: Action Center, Events Calendar, National Webinar recordings