RESULTS Weekly Update December 12, 2023
Quote of the Week
“Tuberculosis, an insidious and often overlooked health crisis. Supporting the End TB Now Act can make a lasting impact on community health and contribute to global TB elimination efforts.”
– RESULTS Coastal Connecticut volunteer Molly Paguaga in a December 11 letter to the editor in The Trumbull Times
Table of Contents
- Build the Buy-in: Action now can set us up for a successful start to 2024
- Register for Thursday’s joint (and last) monthly policy forum
- Gifts to RESULTS matched through December 31!
- Quick News on U.S. and Global Poverty
- Announcements
- Upcoming Events
- Grassroots Resources
Build the Buy-in: Action now can set us up for a successful start to 2024
This week, we have good news, bad news, and exciting news. First, the bad news. Despite a laundry list of things to accomplish, Congress plans to leave Washington, DC this week for the holiday recess. It is baffling to see them leave so much important work on the table, but that’s where we are.
The good news is that our priorities – passing a Child Tax Credit (CTC) expansion, passing the End TB Now Act, and passing the READ Act Reauthorization are still very much alive. On the CTC, new reporting this week says that negotiators are close to a deal on a tax package. While we don’t know the details, your powerful advocacy makes it likely that the deal will include a CTC expansion. The main issue seems to be how to pass the bill, i.e., what legislation will they attach it to. The logical choice is whatever budget deal Congress finalizes by January 19, when the current continuing resolution partially expires. On our global priorities, a budget deal is the logical vehicle to also attach the End TB Now Act and the READ Act Reauthorization.*
What this tells us is that we are close to success. But we’ve been close before. That’s why we need more local media to keep the pressure on. Letters to the editor throughout December and in early January will remind lawmakers that you demand action. This public pressure will help erase the gap between “close” and “success.”
Now the exciting news. Our Build the Buy-in Campaign was conceived to use media and targeted lobbying to get “buy-in” from Congress on our issues. Your media work this fall has been exceptional. We have a goal of 250 media pieces covering all 50 states. As of this morning, you are 59 media pieces and 11 states away from hitting these goals (the remaining states are: AL, AK, AR, DE, GA, MI, MS, MT, NE, RI, and SD). We can get there if, for these last 19 days of December, we pull out all the stops.
TAKE ACTION: Submit your next letter to the editor on the Child Tax Credit, the End Tuberculosis Now Act, or the READ Act Reauthorization. Remember, every piece of media you get published is another push for Congress to act. When you get published, please let us know.
Also, if you have not contacted tax aides urging members to reject any tax deal that does not include reduce child poverty through the Child Tax Credit, or foreign policy aides urging members to pass the End Tuberculosis Now Act and the READ Act Reauthorization, please do so this week. If you have questions or need help, please contact RESULTS staff for assistance.
*When we talk about a vehicle to pass legislation, we mean legislation that can move quickly and is likely to pass, e.g., a budget agreement that avoids a government shutdown. Congress could of course take up the CTC, TB, and education bills individually, but that would take more time and likely lead to additional delays.
Register for Thursday’s joint (and last) monthly policy forum
Join us this Thursday for the RESULTS joint U.S. and Global policy monthly policy forum. On this webinar, RESULTS staff will review where things are on our U.S. and global poverty campaigns as we end the year. We will also review actions you can take over the next few weeks to keep pressure on Congress to pass our priorities in early 2024.
Also, this will be the last monthly policy forum. We will have forums in the future but they will be scheduled on an as-needed basis, rather than a regular monthly webinar.
TAKE ACTION: The forum is this Thursday, December 14 at 8:30 pm ET. Please register today to reserve your spot.
Gifts to RESULTS matched through December 31!
We’re thrilled to share that a small group of RESULTS donors will match every dollar you donate to RESULTS, up to $100,000! Why are these people being so generous? With upcoming elections and deep partisan divides, 2024 is a critical year for our country and our work to end poverty. We need donor support to expand our movement and engage more people in our democracy. By matching gifts, these generous donors hope to inspire you to give, too! A gift from you today of any size will help us raise our voices powerfully in 2024. And with the match, your donation will have double the impact as we push Congress to slash poverty in the U.S. and globally. This season, will you support our work to end poverty and strengthen our democracy?
Quick News on U.S. and Global Poverty
Did you catch the December National Webinar and its focus on tuberculosis? Popular author and TB advocate John Green joined us to share his insights and passion toward ending the scourge of tuberculosis. His potent way of explaining why we can – and must – act and his clarion call to action are all the motivation you’ll need to write your own letter to the editor about the End Tuberculosis Now Act.
Announcements
Join media office hour tomorrow. As we wrap up the year and our Build the Buy-in media campaign, if need help with getting your final media pieces of 2023 written, edited, or submitted, join our Media Office Hour tomorrow, December 13, 2:00-3:00 pm ET. Come any time that hour with your questions. Join via Zoom at: https://results.zoom.us/j/93668005494 or (312) 626-6799, meeting ID: 936 6800 5494.
“Reclaiming Our Democracy” by RESULTS Founder Sam Daley-Harris. Sam Daley-Harris launched RESULTS in 1980, and he has written about the founding of RESULTS – and the wider importance of civic engagement – in a completely revised and updated 2024 edition of Reclaiming Our Democracy. This volume will be released January 9, and you can preorder it. Isn’t that remarkable? A book about our story . . . YOUR story!
Schedule your 2024 group planning meeting. For years, RESULTS annual group planning has been integral in helping you be some of the most effective volunteer advocates around. January is typically with groups meet to plan and fill out their new roadmaps. To kick off a strong 2024, please schedule your group’s roadmap/planning meeting now so you can complete your 2024 Roadmaps by January 31, 2024. We will have 2024 planning materials available soon.
You never know when you might encounter a member of Congress! Recently advocate David Tate had not one, but two chance encounters with members of Congress and was able to advocate on the Child Tax Credit. Read this fun and inspiring story on our blog. Preparation and courage meet opportunity!
Upcoming Events
Congressional schedule: The House and Senate are in session this week.
Typically, registration ends one hour prior to the start of all webinars and trainings.
Tuesday, December 12: U.S. Poverty Free Agents, 1:00 pm ET and 8:00 pm ET. Contact Jos Linn for more information.
Tuesday, December 12: Together Women Rise advocacy chapter webinar, 8:30 pm ET. Learn more about this opportunity.
Wednesday, December 13: Media Office Hour, 2:00 pm ET. Join any time via Zoom at https://results.zoom.us/j/93668005494 or (312) 626-6799, meeting ID 936 6800 5494.
Wednesday, December 13: New Advocate Orientation, 8:30 pm ET. Register for an orientation.
Thursday, December 14: Event Planning and Outreach Office Hour, 2:00 pm ET. Join any time via https://results.zoom.us/j/98524229370 or call (312) 626-6799, Meeting ID: 985 2422 9370.
Thursday, December 14: Joint U.S. and Global policy forum, 8:30 pm ET. Register for the policy forum today.
Monday, December 25-Monday, January 1: RESULTS holiday break. All RESULTS offices closed.
Saturday, January 6: National Webinar, 1:00 pm ET. Register for the webinar today!
Grassroots Resources
Learn about the RESULTS Experts on Poverty.
Find actions and volunteer resources on our Volunteers Hub, including our anti-oppression resources. To join the RESULTS listserv for more RESULTS conversation, send an email to [email protected].
Remember to please report your recent advocacy successes in lobby meetings, media, and outreach activities. Also, use our Volunteer Information Form to add or edit volunteer info and to sign up for updates and alerts.
If you have a story about advocacy you feel could inspire others, use our new online form to tell us your story. Also, if you want to celebrate the actions of a new volunteer, sharing about the experience today.
If you have a question, comment, or suggestion for the RESULTS/REF Board, please e-mail [email protected]. View Board minutes and Annual Reports.
RESULTS Staff directory and job postings.