RESULTS Weekly Update May 10, 2022

Quote of the Week

“RESULTS provides thousands of people the opportunity to be strategic in creating a more humane world.”

– RESULTS South Kitsap, WA volunteer Beth Wilson in an May 2022 op-ed in Religious Humanism

Table of Contents

• May is make or break for a CTC extension
• Senate TB and nutrition letters open as FY23 appropriations work continues
• Quick News on U.S. and Global Poverty
• Announcements
• Upcoming Events
• Grassroots Resources

May is make or break for a CTC extension

May is the month. The month to get a Child Tax Credit (CTC) extension passed. The best vehicle for extending the CTC and monthly payments this year is a budget reconciliation bill. With continued Republican opposition in the Senate, budget reconciliation is the only way to pass a CTC extension with a simple majority.

Democrats tried to pass a budget reconciliation bill last fall – the Build Back Better Act (BBB) – but Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) withdrew his support. Without his vote, the bill died. Why are 51 senators standing in the way of making this happen? It’s not because the expanded CTC and monthly payments were unpopular. On the contrary – parents are mad they’ve stopped. It’s not because the CTC was ineffective. After the payments went out, child poverty dropped 30 percent. And it’s not because the payments incentivized bad behavior. Parents spent their CTC on food, rent, and utilities, and they continued to work. And it’s not because it’s not needed. With inflation still high, the CTC is the tool to help families struggling with higher costs. A concern for politics over people seems the only answer. Meanwhile, children and families suffer.

Senate Democrats are trying for a new reconciliation bill this spring. It will be smaller than BBB. We want it to include the CTC but no one knows for sure what it will include. What we do know is that leaders want to pass something by July 4, which means negotiators need a deal by Memorial Day (so they can move it through Congress in June). If they don’t meet that deadline, it is unlikely any bill with a CTC extension will pass before the November election, or longer.

TAKE ACTION: This is the month to act. Push lawmakers to extend the CTC including the monthly payments now. Here’s what you can do.

1. If you have a Democratic senator, reach out to their tax aide. Ask their boss to push Senate leaders to include the Child Tax Credit in any new economic recovery bill. Remind them that the CTC payments will help families struggling with higher costs. And stay in regular contact with them. Ask what their boss is specifically doing around the CTC and what they’re hearing from colleagues. Keep the drumbeat up until this gets done.
2. For Republican senators and all House members, submit letters to the editor talking about the importance of the CTC monthly payments for families. Talk about helping families pay rent and buy groceries, and how the CTC creates a strong return on investment for society. Submit letters to papers in your state until you get published. When you get published, send your letter to your House and Senate tax aides.

If you have question, please contact RESULTS staff for help.

Senate TB and nutrition letters open as FY23 appropriations work continues

The clock is ticking on Senate FY23 appropriations, and you’re doing fantastic work. The bipartisan Senate “Dear Colleague” letter focused on the Global Fund has been extended and will now close May 13. And two new letters – one on global tuberculosis and one on maternal/child health and nutrition – just opened and will be available for signatures until May 17. Letters like these are key in the appropriations process, and a long list of signatures makes all the difference. Ask your senators for their signatures on these important letters, and then submit our appropriations memos (outlining our global health funding priorities) to your senators as well. Senators have until May 19 to submit their global health funding requests to the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee (SFOPS).

Find updates on letters and signature lists on the RESULTS blog. You’ll find helpful sample templates if offices ask you to fill out forms to make your appropriations funding requests. On the blog you’ll even find answers to frequent questions. Finally, share this online action alert with others so they can take action in the Senate alongside you.

TAKE ACTION: Read more about the Senate Global Fund, global tuberculosis, and maternal/child health/nutrition letters on the RESULTS blog and make your signature requests today. Next, make sure your Senate funding requests are submitted. Use the support of our laser talk to make your requests. Send a thank-you for funding requests forwarded to SFOPS and for letters signed. Questions on this process? Contact Crickett at [email protected] or other RESULTS staff.

Quick News on U.S. and Global Poverty

Media hooks of the week. To help you in your media advocacy, here are suggested media “hooks” this week to use in letters to the editor:

• U.S. Poverty: Another New York Times op-ed shows that the reason child poverty in the U.S. is so high is because reducing child poverty is not a national priority. Except for six months last year when the CTC payments went out.
• Global Poverty: We are on the cusp of summer, a time of relaxation and fun for many. As we approach this time, what does good health mean for you? How do the wishes you have for your own community’s good health and well-being echo in our global health advocacy? Make the connection and write about your passion for our global health work in your local paper.

Global Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Act of 2021. For months, we have been asking our members of Congress to co-sponsor the Global Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Act of 2021. After receiving more than 100 bipartisan co-sponsors, the House of Representatives passed the bill! Read more on our blog. Once you’re finished with your Senate appropriations actions, you may have space for more action-taking in the month of May. Why not take action on global malnutrition? You can use our global May Action Sheet to take action so that the Senate bill is successful like the House bill was and the process moves forward. You can also read up on the issue with this new backgrounder.

Help build broad support for reducing child poverty. With families struggling with higher prices for rent, food, and other necessities, Congress must act now. Extending the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and monthly payment option would provide immediate relief to families. It’s also the right thing to do. To magnify the impact of upcoming lobby meetings, use the May U.S. Poverty Action to write letters urging Congress to extend the CTC now. Urge others to write letters with you.

Returning to the Hill as Global Fund advocates. Read about the spectacular work a small but mighty group of advocates did in late April when our volunteer network made a triumphant return back to advocacy on Capitol Hill. These reflections by staff colleague Katie Fleischer will surely inspire you.

Announcements

Register for the RESULTS International Conference. Join us June 4-5 for the 2022 RESULTS International Conference. See our updated agenda and impressive list of speakers including Jelani Cobb of The New Yorker. At the IC, learn what you need to have powerful lobby meetings during Advocacy Month (May 30-July 8). Don’t miss out – register for the 2022 RESULTS International Conference today!

Register for May 13 Diversity and Inclusion 101 training. Join our work to dismantle systems of oppression and help reach the goal of having all RESULTS volunteers attend our “Diversity and Inclusion 101” training this year. There are only two sessions left this spring. The next session is Friday, May 13 at 12:00 pm ET. Seating is limited so register for an upcoming session today.

Join May 18 Grassroots Board Town Hall. Join our next quarterly Grassroots Board Member Town Hall on Wednesday, May 18 at 9:00 pm ET (this is a rescheduled date). The focus of this Town Hall will be the upcoming Board election. Join via Zoom or by phone at (301) 715-8592, Meeting ID 922 0921 5298, passcode 985046.

May Policy Forums will focus on Advocacy Month. Join us May 19 during our normal monthly Policy Forum times for a U.S. poverty- focused (8 pm ET) or globally focused (9 pm ET) hour to answer your lobbying questions. Each session will offer a brief overview of campaigns/requests with ample time for your questions. Registration is required for each hour. These sessions will be particularly important for anyone doing lobby meetings during the Memorial Day recess. In addition, on May 26 at 12:30 pm ET, our policy team will hold a general office hour if you have additional questions (no registration required for May 26).

Listen to May National Webinar to get ready for Advocacy Month. Review the recording and slides from last weekend’s RESULTS National Webinar for all things Advocacy Month. Learn about our policy requests, how to prepare for meetings, and resources to help you. Also, get inspired hearing RESULTS volunteer Cynthia Changyit Levin about her new advocacy “how-to” book and hearing new volunteers share about lobbying in DC for the first time.

Race Literacy and Healing 101 recording available. Thank you to those who participated in the “Race Literacy and Healing 101” webinar with Milagros Phillips recently. If you missed the presentation, watch the recording at: https://youtu.be/r_yz72TzFKQ. The recording will be available until May 23.

Upcoming Events

Congressional schedule. The House and Senate are in session this week.

Unless otherwise noted, registration ends one hour prior to the start of all webinars and trainings.

Thursday, May 12: Global Allies Program with Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, 8:30 pm ET. Check out our Events calendar for more information.

Friday, May 13: Diversity and Inclusion 101 training, 12:00 pm ET. Register here.

Tuesday, May 17: U.S. Poverty Free Agents, 1:00 pm and 9:00 pm ET. If you are interested in joining, contact Jos Linn for more information.

Tuesday, May 17: Together Women Rise, 8:30 pm ET. Go to our Events page for more information.

Wednesday, May 18: RESULTS Action Network Managers webinars, 12:30 pm ET and 8:00 pm ET. Register for the 12:30 pm ET option or the 8:00 pm ET option.

Wednesday, May 18: Quarterly Call-in with Grassroots Board Members, 9:00 pm ET (new date). Join via Zoom or by phone at (301) 715-8592, Meeting ID 922 0921 5298, passcode 985046.

Thursday, May 19: U.S. Poverty Monthly Policy Forum, 8:00 pm ET. Focus: Helping your prepare for upcoming lobby meetings. Register here.

Thursday, May 19: Global Poverty Monthly Policy Forum, 9:00 pm ET. Focus: Helping you prepare for upcoming lobby meetings. Register here.

Monday, May 23: Global Poverty Free Agents, 7:00 pm ET. If you are interested in joining, contact Lisa Marchal for more information.

Wednesday, May 25: Diversity and Inclusion 101 training, 8:30 pm ET. Register here.

Thursday, May 26: Advocacy Month Lobbying Prep Office Hour, 12:30 pm ET. Simply join; no registration required.

Saturday, June 4-Sunday, June 5. RESULTS International Conference. Keynote speaker: Jelani Cobb of The New Yorker. Register today! Also check out our resources for the companion Advocacy Month.

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 question, comment, or suggestion for the RESULTS/REF Board, please e-mail Lindsay Saunders at [email protected]. View Board minutes and Annual Reports.

RESULTS Staff directory and job postings.