RESULTS Weekly Update March 18, 2025

Quote of the Week 

“When I was teaching, I taught my students about fairness and equality. I think some politicians need to go back to school, because they seem to have forgotten lessons like these.”  

– RESULTS Rhode Island volunteer Marisa Pesce in a March 13 op-ed in Other Words 

(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”) 

Navigating the policy maze—understanding our focus and actions 

The past few months have been challenging and confusing. It’s important to step back and connect the dots. 

• Reconciliation: Our efforts to protect the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid, expand the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit are part of the budget reconciliation process. This process is separate from the annual appropriations process and does not occur every year. (The last one was in 2022.) Measures passed under reconciliation are permanent (unless Congress sets an expiration), whereas appropriations last only one year. 

• Foreign Aid Crisis: Our push to reverse the cancellation of foreign aid programs and secure waivers is also separate from FY26 appropriations. The conflict is not over the amount of foreign aid money; Congress has already set that. The conflict is over the Trump Administration’s illegal policy of not spending it. 

• FY26 Appropriations: Congress is working on FY26 appropriations, due by September 30. Our funding requests for global health, education, and nutrition are part of this process. Not only is foreign aid vital in fighting poverty, but this year Congress can reinforce its “power of the purse” by robustly funding foreign aid. 

• Farm Bill: Normally, changes to SNAP happen in the Farm Bill, and Congress is overdue in passing a new one. However, the current debate over cuts to SNAP is part of the reconciliation process, not the Farm Bill. Congress will eventually need to pass a new Farm Bill this year (or pass another extension), but reconciliation is the focus right now. 

• FY25 Appropriations: The FY25 appropriations process ended last Friday. The continuing resolution (CR) passed by Congress set funding levels through September 30. Due to service cuts and other provisions, RESULTS did not support the bill. However, during the debate, a strong bipartisan majority rejected an amendment that would have cut foreign aid funding in the CR. Read more about FY25 appropriations next week in a highlighted blog post.   

TAKE ACTION! This is the time to stay engaged. RESULTS volunteers have had over 100 lobby meetings this year! We must keep going by meeting with senators, representatives, and their staff. Please submit your meeting requests now and contact RESULTS staff with any questions. Your lobby meetings send a strong message. Foreign aid, health care, food assistance, and child poverty must be top congressional priorities. Writing letters to the editor and op-eds will further amplify this message. 

In case you missed it . . .

RESULTS joins amicus brief on USAID. On Monday, RESULTS and other partners filed an amicus brief in a lawsuit to block the Trump Administration from shutting down USAID. The brief provides the federal judge real-world context and outlines the horrific impact of the funding freeze and terminations on health and rights for communities around the world. Read more about the brief on our blog. 

Mourning the passing of former Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY). Former House member Nita Lowey, the first woman chair of the House Appropriations Committee, passed over the weekend. Her stalwart advocacy on our issues made her a great champion with whom to work. We recognize and celebrate her legacy. 

“What is the Role of Nonprofits in Strengthening our Democracy?” Join this webinar of seasoned nonprofit leaders organized by RESULTS’ Founder Sam Daley-Harris. The event is tomorrow, March 19 at 2 p.m. ET. Register today. 

Come to the Quarterly Outreach Gathering. Strong and thriving RESULTS groups meet, engage, and take advocacy actions together. They also share their advocacy skills and opportunities in their own communities. Join the conversation on Tuesday, March 25 at 8 p.m. ET. Registration is open.  

Join the RESULTS Grassroots Board Members’ Town Hall on March 26 at 8 p.m. ET. Find out about the work of your Grassroots Board members and how you can nominate someone for a Grassroots Board seat. Bring your questions. (Check out nomination information online as well.)  

TL;DR (too long; didn’t read): Gain clarity on our campaigns, read up on breaking news, and register for a helpful webinar . . . or two! 

Quick Links: Action Center, Events Calendar, March National Webinar recording and slides