RESULTS Weekly Update March 25, 2025
Quote of the Week
“Our U.S. Congress must also restore funding for USAID vaccine programs to make sure that even children in poor countries are protected.”
“Congress must act to be sure that all our children have access to lifesaving vaccines.”
– RESULTS Austin volunteers Claudia Morgan and Eloise Sutherland in two March 23 letters to the editor in the Austin American-Statesman
(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”)
First 100 Days: Persistence usually pays off
As Congress returns to Washington this week, critical decisions are on the table. The continuing resolution for FY25 has passed. Now the focus will be on finalizing a budget resolution and moving ahead on FY26 appropriations. These are two distinct processes that will have a profound impact on our work. The outcomes of these decisions will shape the future for millions. We must hold Congress accountable on protecting Medicaid and SNAP. We must invest in children through the Child Tax Credit. And we must vigorously push back against the administration’s harmful attacks on foreign aid. Lawmakers are feeling the pressure from constituents who are rightfully outraged by recent policy shifts. Your 122 lobby meetings across 108 offices are part of that growing chorus. All over the country, advocates are engaging in change-making meetings. Some politicians hope we’ll grow tired, apathetic, or disillusioned. But we cannot let complacency take hold. History has shown that effective advocacy requires persistence. Advocacy works if we work it. Stay vigilant. Follow up on your lobby meeting requests with congressional offices. Keep pushing until you receive a response. Our Actions and Allies page offers a wealth of resources. These tools will help you prepare and succeed in these meetings. You can also request personalized coaching from RESULTS staff. This is our moment to make a difference. Let’s make it count!
Submit media about TB this week
Yesterday was World Tuberculosis (TB) Day. We’re reminded of how critical it is to keep urging Congress to bring back lifesaving foreign aid for TB programs, the deadliest infectious disease on Earth. TB took 1.25 million lives in 2023 and infected 10 million people. We must remind people that proven public health policies are important because they work! Hear from RESULTS senior associate and TB survivor Tenzin Kunor on how affected communities lead the best programs. This message and World TB Day make a great hook for writing your letters to the editor or op-eds this week. Use the templates in our Action Center to submit letters today. Know that your TB media now will help us push for a strong replenishment of the Global Fund later this year. And if you’ve written about TB recently, write about protecting SNAP and Medicaid or expanding the Child Tax Credit. All are important!
Join webinars to deepen your RESULTS work
We know that advocacy is more than talking to decision-makers and generating media. It’s also about organizing, outreach, and leadership development. When we invite others to join, the movement grows. When we deepen our own knowledge and skills, the movement keeps growing. When we step out of our comfort zone, we come closer to a world free of poverty. To that end, please consider attending these upcoming RESULTS events. Join our Quarterly Outreach Gathering. During the gathering, share advocacy skills and discuss outreach opportunities in your communities. The gathering will be tonight, March 25, at 8 p.m. ET. Register now. And join the RESULTS Grassroots Board Members’ Town Hall on Thursday, March 26 at 8 p.m. ET. Learn about the work of your Grassroots Board members and how you could run for a spot on the Board. Ask questions at the Researching Your Member(s) of Congress office hour on Wednesday, April 2, 8:30-9:30 p.m. ET. Finally, share in our monthly gathering of volunteers on the April National Webinar on Saturday, April 5 at 1 p.m. ET. Our special guest is former Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH). Register today.
TL;DR (too long; didn’t read): Get inspired to continue your First 100 Days advocacy, keep the momentum of World TB Day week going and get published, and plan to attend a RESULTS webinar!
Quick Links: Action Center, Events Calendar, March National Webinar recording and slides