RESULTS Weekly Update May 30, 2023
Quote of the Week
“It is unconscionable to play Russian roulette on the backs of the neediest.”
– RESULTS Massachusetts volunteer Leslye Heilig in a May 25 letter to the editor in the Berkshire Eagle
Table of Contents
- Media 150: Debt deal is a false choice we should never have to make
- Keep asking for End Tuberculosis Now Act co-sponsors
- Join June National Webinar this Saturday
- Quick News on U.S. and Global Poverty
- Announcements
- Upcoming Events
- Grassroots Resources
Media 150: Debt deal is a false choice we should never have to make
This weekend, White House and House GOP negotiators reached an apparent deal on the debt ceiling crisis. While details are still being analyzed, the deal does impose new work requirements on older SNAP recipients, those 50-54 years old not raising children. As we have noted before, this change is not designed to get people back to work; it is designed to push people off SNAP. Fortunately, veterans and those experiencing homelessness are exempt from these requirements, which will help mitigate some of the damage. The deal also limits federal non-defense spending for the next two years, which puts at risk critical services such as Head Start, WIC, home energy assistance, and core global anti-poverty programs.
The good news is that if passed, the debt ceiling will be suspended until the end of 2024, thus avoiding another one of these manufactured crises through next year.
This deal pleases almost no one. While it could have been a lot worse, that is no consolation to those who will be directly impacted by these changes. Assuming the bill passes (the House will vote tomorrow, the Senate later this week), we will have important work going forward to protect and expand policies that reduce poverty. For now, tell Congress that we should never again be forced into a false choice between national default and making poverty worse.
TAKE ACTION: Use local media to express your displeasure about how the debt ceiling crisis has been used to extract harsh cuts to anti-poverty programs. Use our updated debt ceiling media alert to tell Congress to focus on reducing poverty, not making it worse. Members of Congress need to understand that their constituents will not tolerate these manufactured crises every few years that seem to only hurt those already suffering. 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).
And excellent work on our Media 150 campaign. As of this morning, RESULTS volunteers have gotten 127 media pieces published since April 1. That’s only 23 away from our goal of 150, and we still have another month left! And we’re going to need every LTE you can get. The debt ceiling deal is proof positive that Congress needs constant reminding to get their priorities straight.
Keep asking for End Tuberculosis Now Act co-sponsors
“Tuberculosis is a disease as old as time . . . “ This global scourge has a deep history intertwined with poverty, and that’s why we are working so hard to bring this disease to a halt. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world was making progress in battling tuberculosis. Unfortunately, resource diversion during the pandemic contributed to significant setbacks. We need to urge members of Congress to co-sponsor the End Tuberculosis Now Act and influence U.S. leadership in advance of a United Nations High-Level Meeting on Tuberculosis being held later this year. At this meeting, the U.S. can make the choice to lead on bold goals toward ending the TB epidemic in less than 10 years.
Ask your members of Congress to co-sponsor the End Tuberculosis Now Act. Help us create the kind of positive pressure that could make ambitious TB eradication efforts a reality. 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!
TAKE ACTION: Watch and share this powerful short video on our tuberculosis campaign. Then use the May Global Poverty Action Sheet with your group to request that members of Congress co-sponsor the End Tuberculosis Now Act. Then share our quick online action with others so they can ask their members of Congress to co-sponsor as well.
Join June National Webinar this Saturday
We look forward to seeing you at the RESULTS National Webinar this Saturday, June 3 at 1:00 pm ET. This webinar will focus on one of the core components of RESULTS’ success – working in community with one another. After our staff provides some updates on our legislative work, we will turn our attention to community. With the threat of COVID-19 diminished significantly, we are looking to restart what has been an integral part of the RESULTS model for decades – in-person meetings and gatherings. While RESULTS volunteers adjusted well during the pandemic to online meetings, we know that being in community with each other in-person makes us better and stronger as a movement. Thus, on the webinar, we’ll hear from RESULTS volunteers on how they are connecting their sense of purpose with their sense of community. We’ll also provide you tools and resources to plan your own events this year. Please join us!
TAKE ACTION: Join us for the National Webinar this Saturday, June 3, 1:00-2:30 pm ET. If you have not registered for a 2023 national webinar, register for the webinar today (you only need register once per year). You will receive your registration confirmation and Zoom login information later this week via e-mail (please check your junk or spam folders if you have not received anything by Friday afternoon). We ask you join at 1:00 pm ET and stay on for the duration of the webinar. The webinar slides and recording will be available on our National Webinars page.
Quick News on U.S. and Global Poverty
Have you asked 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). Global access to quality basic education may seem like a natural goal, but it won’t be achieved without our deliberate attention. Happily, we’ve heard that this legislation might soon be hotlined (fast-tracked) in the Senate. However we can’t wait for that possibility. Make your co-sponsorship requests to Congress, highlighting why access to education is so important to you, and follow up a week later.
Keep pushing the AFA with House Democrats. Thank you for helping get co-sponsors for the American Family Act, which would restore the Child Tax Credit (CTC) to its 2021 levels. We have 129 so far! We expect House Republican leaders to announce a tax package in the coming weeks. Having a strong showing on the AFA will help send the message that expanding the CTC must be a priority in any new tax legislation. Read our RESULTS Blog post on how to get your representative to sign on.
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: See the U.S. Poverty section above.
- Global Poverty: The bipartisan Reach Every Mother and Child Act, introduced in the Senate this month, focuses on enhancing maternal and child health worldwide. UNICEF has released new data on malnutrition, highlighting the intense need for such legislation.
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.
Join Champion Scale training with Sam Daley-Harris tomorrow. 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 this Wednesday, May 31, 8:00 pm ET. Register today.
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. Review our new in-person events resource guide. Second, attend the June 3 National Webinar, where the focus will be on planning in-person events this year. 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.
Upcoming Events
Congressional schedule: May 29-June 4. The House and Senate are in session.
Typically, registration ends one hour prior to the start of all webinars and trainings.
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, 8:00 pm ET. Register today.
Thursday, June 15: Global Poverty Policy Forum, 9:00 pm ET. Register today.
Tuesday, June 20: U.S. Poverty Free Agents, 1:00 pm and 9:00 pm ET. Contact Jos Linn for more information.
Tuesday, June 20: Together Women Rise/RESULTS Advocacy Chapter, 8:30 pm ET. Learn more.
Wednesday, June 21: Action Network Managers webinar, 12:30 pm and 8:00 pm ET. (Choose your time.) Join the 12:30 pm ET session at https://results.zoom.us/j/93288388695. Join the 8:00 pm ET session at https://results.zoom.us/j/91531456676. No registration required.
Wednesday, June 21: Media Office Hour, 2:00 pm ET. Join via Zoom at https://results.zoom.us/j/93668005494 or (312) 626-6799, meeting ID 936 6800 5494. No registration required.
Friday, June 23: Oppression – The Missing Perspectives, 12:00 pm ET. Learn more about this important 90-minute webinar.
Monday, June 26: Global Poverty Free Agents, 7:00 pm ET. Contact Lisa Marchal for more information.
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.