Campaign Launched to Urge Continued U.S. Leadership to Fight TB

At this year’s RESULTS International Conference, advocates helped to launch a multi-month campaign to raise the global profile of the leading infectious disease killer, tuberculosis (TB). This ancient disease has not had the high level political engagement needed to turn the tide against this airborne contagion. 1.7 million people each year are killed by TB, even though it is curable. Of the over 10 million people sickened by TB each year, 40 percent of TB patients are never even found by their health systems. But, U.S. leadership can make a difference and there are real signs of progress.

There are key opportunities to continue to build global momentum in the fight against TB. In September, heads of state and other leaders will gather for the first-ever U.N. High-Level Meeting on Tuberculosis (HLM). The U.S. must show up with high level representation and push for strong targets to find the missing millions of people suffering from TB. Congressional action can help encourage strong United States’ leadership at the HLM. Any final declaration from the meeting should focus on finding those not yet reached with TB treatment and increasing the investments in the global fight against the disease. Additionally, both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have proposed increased funding in fiscal year 2019 (FY19) to fight this global epidemic. 

Read the full blog post by Crickett Nicovich, Senior Advisor for Global Policy and Government Affairs, for a bit of context and the support resources you need, including background facts on TB and sample language you can use to make requests. 

Let’s keep following up with offices to make sure they hear about the needless tragedy of TB still affecting millions each year and how global efforts can change the course of this deadly disease.

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For the House:

1. HLM Meeting ​Request: Co-chairs of the Tuberculosis Elimination Caucus, Reps. Eliot Engel (D-NY), Don Young (R-AK), and Gene Green (TX) are circulating a sign-on letter to the Administration calling for bold U.S. leadership at the upcoming UN HLM on Tuberculosis. Make the request: "Will you support a letter to the Administration urging support for the HLM and U.S. leadership in the global fight against TB?" The deadline is July 26. ​​

Current Signers for HOUSE UN HLM Letter – 25 signers: Eliot Engel (D-NY), Don Young (R-AK), Gene Green (D-TX), Andy Barr (R-KY), Donald Beyer, Jr. (D-VA), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Gerald Connolly (D-VA), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Mike Doyle (D-PA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), James McGovern (D-MA), Luke Messer (R-IN), Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Mark Takano (D-CA), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Dina Titus (D-NV), Marc Veasey (D-TX)

2. Appropriations Request: Contact your representatives with the question, "Will you speak with the leadership of the State/Foreign Operations (SFOPS) subcommittee of Appropriations and urge them to support the higher FY19 House funding level of $302 million to fight global TB in any final spending bill?"

For the Senate: 

1. HLM Meeting Request: Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Todd Young (R-IN), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) are circulating a sign-on letter to the Administration calling for bold U.S. leadership at the upcoming UN HLM on Tuberculosis. Make the request: "Will you support a letter to the Administration urging support for the HLM and U.S. leadership in the global fight against TB?" (Letter will be available soon.)

2. Appropriations Request: Contact your senators with the question, "Will you speak with the leadership of the State/Foreign Operations (SFOPS) subcommittee of Appropriations and urge them to support the higher FY19 House funding level of $302 million to fight global TB in any final spending bill?"

Terrific Time in DC: 2018 RESULTS International Conference 

Over 400 advocates. A multitude of countries. Skill-building. Issue briefings. Relationship-building. Effective advocacy on the Hill on both U.S. and global poverty imperatives. It was all there. And if you weren't with us in DC, many of you followed along via social media and our select livestreams. Many of you even took action from home while your fellow advocates were on the Hill. (Thank you for that!)

Now is the time when advocates are following up on their requests to their members of Congress. Just 48 hours after our Advocacy Day, 17 new cosponsors appeared on the House version of the Reach Act (H.R. 4022) and 2 new cosponsors appeared on the Senate version (S. 1730). Follow up is vital; remember that your meeting isn't done until you follow up on your requests. Don't let time slip away! 

• Conference Materials. Refer to the International Conference resources page for electronic copies of policy briefs, ask sheets used for Advocacy Day, and other resources used and shared during the conference. 

• Inspiring Summaries. Check out our blog for some terrific write-ups from each day of the conference. 

• Colorful Photos. Click to enjoy our fabulous photo album of YOU!

The Reach Act: Our Push Continues

We are committed to getting this legislation passed. Now is not the time to give up!

As of July 24, we have 43 states (plus DC) and 184 legislators showing up on the House version of the Reach Every Mother and Child Act (H.R.4022) and 26 states and 31 legislators showing up on the Senate version of the bill (S.1730). This is due in no small part to your advocacy.

This legislation will make U.S. efforts on maternal and child health the best they can be through coordination, efficiency, and bold goals. But we need even more cosponsors and champions in Congress to move this bill. Get senators and representatives to cosponsor the Reach Act, and if they are already cosponsors, move them up the Champion Scale by asking them to advocate for and lead on the issue. Current cosponsors have a real stake in this legislation – encourage them to help gain the support that's necessary.

• Request Cosponsorship. Utilize the Reach Act leave-behind sheet we used for Advocacy Day to ask your senator or representative to join the coast-to-coast momentum and help boost cosponsorship of this life-saving legislation. 

• Write to Get Published. Have you written a letter to the editor on the Reach Act calling on Congress to pass this legislation? Do you have 15-20 minutes? Use our online action to write a personalize letter and get published. You can also use our editorial packet to pitch editors or as raw material for writing your own piece for submission. 

August Joint National Webinar, Grassroots Board Election, and Regional Coordinators

1. National Grassroots Webinar Schedule for August. Mark your calendars for a joint national grassroots webinar on Saturday, August 11 focused on how we're going to see that our issues show up during the mid-term election process. Watch for more details. 

2. Just a Couple More Days to Vote. The Grassroots Board members represent you on the RESULTS Board. Learn about the candidates here. Place your vote online by July 28.

3. Have You Ever Considered Becoming a Regional Coordinator? What is a Regional Coordinator? How do they play an integral role in the volunteer support structure through their support of a region of advocate groups? Contact Lisa Marchal, Global Grassroots Manager, for a Regional Coordinator role description or to ask questions. 

Upcoming Opportunities and Calendar Items 

Throughout August. New Member Orientations. Contact Amanda Beals, Global Grassroots Expansion Manager, for more details.

August 11, 2 pm ET. National Grassroots Webinar, Global Poverty Campaigns.

August 20, 1 pm ET and 8 pm ET. RESULTS Global Free Agents Webinars (choose one). Login: http://fuze.me/35703902. Or to join by phone only, dial (201) 479-4595, meeting ID 35703902.

Resources at Your Fingertips

Subscribe to the Weekly Update

2018 IC Resources

Resources to Help You Run Your Group Smoothly 

Advocacy Resources to Help You Take Action (Weekly updates, action sheets, online action alerts, and more)

Resources for Brand New Advocates Getting Started

Global Poverty Campaigns Backgrounders and Global Grassroots Calendar

Skills Center for Learning Advocacy Best Practices and More 

Fundraising Tools

Report 2018 Actions 

• Report a Lobby Meeting

• Report an Outreach Activity

• Report a Media Piece

115th Congress Congressional Scorecard: See global poverty actions your members of Congress have taken. 

Contact the Grassroots Board Members of the RESULTS Board. Also, you can view the most recently published minutes from Board meetings on the RESULTS website, as well as download RESULTS’ most recent Annual Report.

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