RESULTS Weekly Update May 23, 2023
Quote of the Week
“Tell Congress that they are looking at the wrong people to deal with our national debt.”
– RESULTS Cheyenne volunteer Ann Erdmann in a May 17 op-ed in the Wyoming Tribune Eagle
Table of Contents
- Media 150: Debt ceiling drama – deal or no deal?
- Have you asked Congress to co-sponsor the End TB Now Act?
- Quick News on U.S. and Global Poverty
- Announcements
- Upcoming Events
- Grassroots Resources
Media 150: Debt ceiling drama – deal or no deal?
The standoff between the White House and House Republicans over the debt ceiling continues. While both sides admit progress has been made, reports are that a deal remains elusive. President Biden continues to make public statements in support of not cutting health care and food assistance, which is fortunate. But he has also signaled openness to new work requirements for anti-poverty programs, which is not. The closer the country comes to default, the more pressure will bear on all parties to reach a compromise. And any compromise will include some budget cuts. The question is where they come from. This is why grassroots media right now remains imperative.
We need both sides to recognize that the choice between and default cutting anti-poverty programs is a false choice. A debt default would be catastrophic to the economy and impact the livelihoods of most Americans. But asking those experiencing poverty – and only them – to sacrifice to avoid it is no better. Lawmakers can find a compromise on the budget and debt ceiling that does not hurt those in need (e.g., why not end tax breaks for those who need them least?). Use letters to the editor to push them there.
TAKE ACTION: Lawmakers must reach a deal on the debt ceiling this week if they want to pass it before the “x-date” of June 1. Keep up your excellent Media 250 efforts by focusing your media on the debt ceiling this week. Submit them now so you can still have an impact on negotiations. If you are not sure what to say, use our debt ceiling media alert to tell Congress and the President to lift the debt ceiling now and reject cuts to anti-poverty programs. If you need help with your letters, please contact Jos Linn ([email protected]). When you get published, please complete our Media Report Form (see media already published here).
Media 150 tracker. GOAL: 150 published media pieces April 1-June 30):
- 110 media pieces published, as of May 23
- Topics covered:
- Child Tax Credit and/or Renter Tax credit: 73
- Debt ceiling/budget cuts: 20
- S. poverty in general: 9
- Global TB: 5
- Global nutrition: 3
- SNAP (not related to debt ceiling): 3
Have you asked Congress to co-sponsor the End TB Now Act?
The End Tuberculosis Now Act calls on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to be ambitious in reaching and treating the populations most vulnerable to tuberculosis, a devastating disease of poverty. The legislation is open for co-sponsorship in both the House (H.R.1776) and the Senate (S.288). We’ve gotten word that the legislation may soon be hotlined (fast-tracked) in the Senate, but that doesn’t mean we can let up. Keep the co-sponsorship requests going!
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world was making progress in battling the scourge of tuberculosis. Unfortunately, resource diversion during the pandemic contributed to a significant setback in that progress. Five years ago, at the United Nations High Level Meeting on Tuberculosis, the global community set ambitious goals to end the TB epidemic by 2030. This fall, we have the opportunity to redouble our efforts toward those goals at another UN High Level Meeting focused on tuberculosis. We are trying to put positive pressure on the U.S. to show up with bold leadership at this meeting. As part of that, we need to urge members of Congress to co-sponsor the End Tuberculosis Now Act. TB preventable. It is treatable. It doesn’t have to devastate lives. We must act.
TAKE ACTION: The May Global Poverty Action Sheet is designed to help you and your group work together to ask your members of Congress to co-sponsor the End Tuberculosis Now Act. Utilize the May Global Poverty Action Sheet, and then share our quick online action with others so they can ask their members of Congress to co-sponsor as well.
Quick News on U.S. and Global Poverty
Watch RESULTS on tomorrow’s ABA Chair Chat. This week’s American Bar Association “Chair Chat” will feature RESULTS Associate Director of U.S. Poverty Policy Michael Santos and ABA Civil Rights and Social Justice Section Chair Juan R. Thomas. They will discuss the renter tax credit. Watch it tomorrow, May 24, at 2:00 p.m. ET at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIxRVgkT2MM.
Ask your member of Congress to be a READ Act co-sponsor. To support basic education around the world, we are working on securing co-sponsors for the READ Act (H.R.681, S.41). This legislation focuses on enhanced strategies for the improvement of foundational literacy and numeracy, essential elements of a quality basic education. In positive news, we’ve heard that this legislation might soon be hotlined (fast-tracked) in the Senate. But that doesn’t mean we can let up. Tell a brief story to your members of Congress why education and this legislation are important to you. Make your co-sponsorship requests and follow up a week later.
Urge House Democrats to support the AFA. Please continue to urge your House Democratic members to co-sponsor the American Family Act, which would restore the Child Tax Credit (CTC) to its 2021 levels. Read our RESULTS Blog post on how to get your representative to sign on.
IRS piloting new tax filing system. The IRS will pilot a free, direct filing option for taxpayers during next year’s filing season. RESULTS recently talked about our staff and coalition advocacy on this in our Tax Day blog. A free filing tool would make receiving tax credits like the CTC and EITC simpler, more accessible and would increase equity in our tax code. This is a big win!
New data highlights importance of TANF. President Biden has recently signaled he may be open to increasing work requirements for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) during debt ceiling negotiations. A new study from Columbia University highlights both the importance of TANF for families and how much new work requirements would cost us as a society.
Media hooks for the week. Use the hook ideas below to submit a letter to the editor this week. If you need a template, use our online media actions to edit and submit your letter today.
- U.S. Poverty: As part of the debt/ceiling budget fight, the House wants to cut IRS funding allocated for prosecuting wealthy taxpayers who avoid paying what they owe. If the House wants to do something on taxes, they should focus on expanding of the Child Tax Credit, not protecting wealthy tax dodgers.
- Global Poverty: It’s possible that the Senate will hotline (fast-track) the End Tuberculosis Now Act soon. We’re hearing newer creative voices calling for collective resolve in ending the scourge of this disease of poverty. From the sector of pop culture and literature we have, in the Washington Post, an opinion piece by author and vlogger John Green. There’s still a bit of time to respond with the submission of a letter to the editor. Keep the conversation flowing!
Announcements
Vote in the Board election! We have three excellent candidates for two seats to represent you – the volunteers – on the RESULTS Board. The candidates are Aaron Carrillo, Allison Gallaher, and Randy Rosso. As with any election, participation is vital and makes our organization stronger. See our RESULTS Blog post for candidate bios and how to vote today! Voting ends June 28.
You Set the Agenda! Through your collective focus and individual passion, you all did an incredible job taking our anti-poverty policy priorities to the new Congress in the opening months of the session. Through your deliberate strategizing with each other, your focus on securing and executing on meetings, and your mutual support of our goals, you showed just how effective and powerful advocacy can be. Read more on our blog.
Fellows meet with Congress. Emerging leaders from all over the nation convening on Capitol Hill. Over 35 powerful meetings with Congress. The Spring Policy Summit for the RESULTS Fellowship was a big success, and you can read all about it on our blog.
In-person events support. Connection and growth are vital to the RESULTS grassroots network. We have new resources to help support our volunteer groups as they make plans to gather in community this year. First, review our new in-person events resource guide. Second, join us May 26 at 12:00 pm ET to ask your event creation questions (see details below). Finally, register for our webinar on Wednesday, June 7 at 8:00 pm ET to discuss resources and strategies for events that enhance our goals for leadership development, outreach, fellowship, awareness, and skill-building.
Anti-Oppression learning opportunities – don’t miss out! Did you miss Diversity & Inclusion 101 workshop last year? There is still time for you to join us for an encore session on Tuesday, May 23 at 8:00 pm ET. Learn more and register here. We will also host an encore session of “Oppression: The Missing Perspectives” on Friday, June 23 at 12:00 pm ET. Learn more and register today. For all remaining anti-oppression workshops this year, please see our website.
Group Leader Office Hour at 7:30 pm ET on Thursday, May 25. Need extra support or just want to connect? Join RESULTS staffer Lisa Marchal; bring your dilemmas, thoughts, and questions. No registration needed; join any time during the hour at https://results.zoom.us/j/6602641580.
The RESULTS Champion Scale with RESULTS Founder Sam Daley-Harris. Have you ever thought, “My member of Congress is opposed to our bills, what’s the point of meeting with them?” or “My member of Congress is good on our issues, there’s no reason to meet with them?” RESULTS founder Sam Daley-Harris will lead a workshop on “Moving Your Member of Congress Up the Champion Scale” from opposed, to neutral, to supporter, to advocate, to leader and eventually to champion. Join Sam for the fun on Wednesday, May 31, 8:00 pm ET. Register today.
New Advocate Orientation update. We will be taking a break from hosting New Advocate Orientations over the summer. Regular orientations will resume in August and can be found on the RESULTS events calendar. During this time, new or interested volunteers can schedule individual orientations with RESULTS staff member Alicia Stromberg.
Support RESULTS. Mother’s Day may be over, but our work to end child poverty isn’t. It’s not too late to honor the caregivers in your life while supporting the education, training, and research that make our work so powerful. Make a donation.
Upcoming Events
Congressional schedule: May 22-28. The House is in session and the Senate is on recess.
Typically, registration ends one hour prior to the start of all webinars and trainings.
Tuesday, May 23: Diversity & Inclusion 101, 8:00-9:30 pm ET. Read more about this learning opportunity and register today.
Thursday, May 25: Group Leader Office Hour, 7:30 pm ET. No registration needed; join any time during the hour at https://results.zoom.us/j/6602641580.
Friday, May 26: Event Planning Office Hour, 12:00 pm ET. Bring your questions about planning in-person RESULTS gatherings. No registration required. Join via https://results.zoom.us/j/99349167795 or call (312) 626-6799, meeting ID 993 4916 7795.
Wednesday, May 31: The RESULTS Champion Scale with RESULTS Founder Sam Daley-Harris, 8:00 pm ET. Register today.
Saturday, June 3: Monthly National Webinar, 1:00 pm ET. Register today.
Wednesday, June 7: In-person Event Planning webinar, 8:00 pm ET. Register today.
Thursday, June 8: Global Allies RESULTS program for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, 8:30 pm ET. Learn more.
Thursday, June 15: U.S. Poverty Policy Forum, 8 pm ET. Register today.
Thursday, June 15: Global Poverty Policy Forum, 9 pm ET. Register 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 that you feel might inspire others, use our online form to tell us your story.
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.