RESULTS Weekly Update April 15, 2025
Quote of the Week
“Members of Congress must insist that the needs of their constituents take priority. Restore life-saving foreign aid, including for vaccination programs. Protect Medicaid and SNAP.”
– RESULTS Cleveland volunteer Allison Gallaher in a May 11 letter to the editor in the Elyria Chronicle Telegram
(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”)
Tax Day is a good reminder of how empowering (and destructive) tax policy can be
Today is Tax Day. Millions of Americans will file their federal income taxes before midnight tonight. While many dread this annual task, there’s an important reason behind it. Our taxes fund the programs and services that support the values we share as a nation. Unfortunately, too many leaders in Congress overlook the real impact our tax dollars have. Instead, their focus is on cutting taxes for the wealthiest among us. This ignores the needs of hardworking families.
Tax policy has the power to change lives. When Congress expanded the Child Tax Credit (CTC) in 2021, it reduced child poverty by nearly 50 percent. Whenever Congress has expanded the CTC or the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), poverty has decreased. Just today, RESULTS Experts on Poverty Tiffany Tagbo and Candance Baker, along with researcher Dr. Luke Shaefer, held a press conference discussing the vital support these tax credits provide to their families.
Now, GOP leaders are rushing through Congress a plan to cut taxes for the rich—and they want to pay for it by slashing SNAP and Medicaid. Congress should be focusing on families, not billionaires. Write to your members of Congress and demand they expand the CTC and EITC in any tax bill they pass this year. While you’re at it, submit a letter to the editor calling on Congress to reject cuts to SNAP and Medicaid.
Members of Congress are back home. Use this golden opportunity to get meetings and build influence.
Congress is on recess for the next two weeks. Before leaving Washington, the Senate and House passed a disastrous budget plan. The plan takes health care and food assistance from millions in exchange for tax cuts for billionaires. Also, far too many lawmakers are playing spectator as the Trump Administration destroys decades of progress in reducing preventable deaths, disease, starvation, and illiteracy overseas. They need to hear from you now. Through your deep, informed advocacy, you can be the catalyst for their courage. (Read this terrific new blog post for inspiration!)
Congressional recesses are not vacations. They are time set aside for lawmakers to meet with constituents. Accept their invitation! Contact the closest congressional office. Ask to meet with your senator or representative while they’re home. Also ask about public events you can attend. Our Actions and Allies page has sample meeting requests, issue briefs, issue requests, and more. Please urge members to sign our FY26 House and Senate Dear Colleague letters on our global poverty issues. Contact RESULTS staff for coaching and support.
Build support for global poverty investments with new Dear Colleague letters
The past few months have been devastating for the fight against global poverty. The Trump Administration’s closure of USAID has cost countless lives. The cancellation of life-saving humanitarian programs has shattered communities. It has even alienated allies. While some services are being restored, the situation remains dire. This makes it crucial to bolster these programs in fiscal year 2026 (FY26).
FY26 appropriations are Congress’ chance to reclaim control over federal spending. Through strong investment in global poverty initiatives, Congress can declare that these funds are essential. Urge your Congress to support these investments. Contact your House and Senate foreign policy aides today. Encourage them to push their bosses to sign the Dear Colleague letters right away.
Special note – Last call for Grassroots Board member nominations! Nominations close Tuesday, April 15. Check out our blog for details on how to nominate a great leader!
TL;DR (too long; didn’t read): Congress is now on recess, which means taking meetings with constituents (i.e. you!) Tell them to support the CTC and EITC. Ask lawmakers to sign Dear Colleague letters to make sure power of the purse stays with Congress where it belongs.
Quick Links: Action Center, Events Calendar, April National Webinar slides and recording