RESULTS Weekly Update November 2, 2021

Quote of the Week

“As long as a large portion of the world’s population does not have access to vaccinations, we all are at risk.”

– RESULTS Austin volunteer Eloise Sutherland in an October 18 letter to the editor in the Austin American-Statesman

Table of Contents

• We’re on the cusp of an historic achievement, but your advocacy is still needed
• Hear Anti-oppression audit findings on National Webinar this Saturday
• Quick News on U.S. and Global Poverty
• Announcements
• Upcoming Events
• Grassroots Resources

We’re on the cusp of an historic achievement, but your advocacy is still needed

Congress is inching closer to a final agreement on the Build Back Better bill (BBB, also known as the economic recovery bill). Last week, the White House announced a framework for BBB that includes these priorities RESULTS is following:

• It extends the increased Child Tax Credit and monthly payment option another year and makes it permanently fully refundable for all low-income families.
• It extends the increased Earned Income Tax Credit for younger workers and workers not raising children another year.
• It invests $22 billion in Housing Choice Vouchers to help more low-income renters find a place to live.
• It invests $1.3 billion in pandemic preparedness, which includes increasing global vaccine manufacturing capacity.

If passed, this will be an historic achievement. It is true that the framework includes less than what we wanted, but a year ago, such a plan was not even conceivable. And even after last November’s election, it was improbable. President Biden has razor-thin majorities in Congress and near total opposition from Republicans in Congress, yet his Administration is close to securing the most significant investments to reduce poverty and hardship in a generation.

But success is not guaranteed. Yesterday, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) reminded everyone that he (along with Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ)) still holds tremendous sway over what happens. While House progressives want to move forward with a vote on both Build Back Better and the bipartisan infrastructure bill this week, Sens. Manchin and Sinema still have not pledged to support Build Back Better in the Senate (even though they’ve extracted tremendous concessions in the bill). With no Republican senators expected to support Build Back Better, their votes are necessary to get it passed.

We must persist with energy and optimism to get this across the finish line. Don’t focus on the politics in DC or what this bill won’t do – focus on what it will do. If passed, child poverty will continue to drop precipitously. Low-wage workers will be able to make ends meet. Tens of thousands of low-income households will get help to pay the rent. And many around the world will get the COVID vaccines they need, even as RESULTS continues to push for increased support for vaccine access in low-income countries.

Keep the pressure on Congress to get this done now.

TAKE ACTION: Use our online alert to call or e-mail your members of Congress today urging them to finalize an agreement on Build Back Better and get it passed. Remind them that the cost of failure is too high – lives are literally at stake. Congress must get this done. Also use the media to keep the pressure on Congress. Use our online letter to the editor action to submit your letter today calling on Congress to pass Build Back Better now. Please urge others you know to take action too. Keep up with the latest on the economic recovery bill on the RESULTS Blog.

Hear anti-oppression audit findings on National Webinar this Saturday

Join us for the RESULTS National Webinar this Saturday, November 6 at 1:00 pm ET. On this important webinar, we’ll update you on RESULTS’ anti-oppression efforts by doing a summary of the Anti-Oppression Audit RESULTS has been conducting this year. We’ll discuss next steps on our anti-oppression work, including training, protocols, group-level work, and our strategic plan. Also on the webinar, we will discuss the latest on economic recovery negotiations, including shares from RESULTS volunteers on what they’ve been doing get this historic legislation across the finish line. We will also preview our next major campaign on global nutrition.

Because of the importance of this webinar for all of our work, we ask volunteers to join at 1:00 pm ET and stay on for the duration of the webinar. If you have yet to register for one of our monthly national webinars this year, please register today. Webinar login info will be sent via e-mail on Friday.

Quick News on U.S. and Global Poverty

Have you seen the latest on appropriations? Recently the Senate released details of its appropriations bills, which includes specifics on items for which we’ve been advocating for most of the year. The results are mixed, but you can read a thorough analysis of what’s being proposed on our blog.

Global nutrition legislation. The world is not on track to meet the United Nations goal of zero hunger by 2030. However the bipartisan Global Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Act has been introduced in the Senate (S.2956), with a bipartisan companion bill in the House of Representatives (H.R.4693). Read more about the potential of this legislation on our blog.

Build Back Better plan includes money to build affordable housing. The Build Back Better framework released by the White House last week includes $150 billion in new housing investments. In addition to $25 billion for rental assistance (most going to Housing Choice Vouchers), it also includes $15 billion for the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF). The NHTF allocates money to states to help repair, upgrade, and build affordable housing units. See how much NHTF money your state stands to gain if BBB becomes law.

Build Back Better financed by progressive tax policies. Lost in the debate over the economic recovery bill is that fact that the investments in it are completely paid for, adding no money to the national debt. These offsets comes from asking corporations and the wealthy to pay a fairer share of taxes, something RESULTS has supported for many years. See details about the Build Back Better revenue provisions in a new paper from CBPP.

Announcements

Anti-oppression audit findings now available. As part of our continued effort to address issues of oppression, RESULTS has been conducting an anti-oppression audit of our organization this year. A summary of the findings is now available. From RESULTS Executive Director Joanne Carter: “The anti-oppression audit we commissioned wasn’t about assessing where we are just for the sake of it, but to inform where we go next. I’m so very grateful for your candor and ideas – this work is central to everything we do, and our mission depends on it. We want to do everything we can to support the leadership of our grassroots on anti-oppression, and I’m committed to making sure this work has clear goals, staffing, and the funding to advance it.” Join this Saturday’s National Webinar to hear a more detailed summary of the audit findings.

Join tomorrow’s training on welcoming new volunteers. If you want to learn more about creating a culture of “welcome” in your group and fostering healthy relationships through advocacy action with new volunteers, join our Cultivating New Relationships Through Action​ training on Wednesday, November 3 at 8:00 pm ET. Register for the training today.

Join Grassroots Board Town Hall this Thursday. If you want to hear the latest from the RESULTS Board, join the Grassroots Board Member Town Hall this Thursday, November 4 at 9:00 pm ET. Grassroots Board Members represent the volunteers’ interests on the RESULTS Board. Join this event to hear their current priorities, to ask questions, and share your ideas. Join online via Zoom or dial (301) 715-8592, Meeting ID: 922 0921 5298, Passcode: 985046.

Congratulations and thank you, RESULTS Dallas! Congratulations and many thanks to the RESULTS Dallas, TX Fundraising Team, particularly Buke Dube, Margaret Smith and Marty White, team leaders and host, for the exciting and powerful fundraiser they held on October 28. Over 70 people attended the event, which featured remarks from Chris Collins, President and CEO of Friends of the Global Fight. They raised over $22,000 for RESULTS, far exceeding their $15,000 goal. May all our endeavors be as successful as the Dallas Fundraising Team – thank you so much for your incredible work!

RESULTS Fellowship deadline extended. Read this inspiring blogpost featuring one of our RESULTS Fellows, Rayna Castillo, describing the power of advocacy. If you are interested in applying for the RESULTS Fellowship, don’t hesitate. The application process now closes on November 20.

One more week to Bob Dickerson Award nominations. In memory of long-time RESULTS advocate Bob Dickerson, each year we recognize an advocate’s extraordinary leadership and commitment to the mission of RESULTS with the Bob Dickerson Leadership Award. Submit your nomination for the award no later than November 8. Use our online form to submit a nomination.

Become a RESULTS Regional Coordinator. Regional Coordinators (RCs) are vital volunteer leaders in our network, helping to coach and support RESULTS groups around the country to be the best they can be. If you (or others) are interested in becoming a Regional Coordinator with RESULTS, or are simply interested in learning more about the role, please contact Lisa Marchal.

Upcoming Events

Congressional schedule. The House and Senate are in session this week. Submit your remote meeting requests today.

Wednesday, November 3: Cultivating New Relationships Through Action, 8:00 pm ET. Register here. Registration ends one hour prior to the webinar.

Thursday, November 4: Grassroots Board Member Town Hall, 9:00 pm ET. Join online via Zoom or dial (301) 715-8592, Meeting ID: 922 0921 5298 Passcode: 985046.

Saturday, November 6: RESULTS National Webinar, 1:00 pm ET. Register today. Registration ends one hour prior to the webinar.

Tuesday, November 9: Global Allies Program – Ending Poverty with RESULTS, 8:30 pm ET.  Register today. Registration ends one hour prior to the webinar.

Thursday, November 11: Veterans’ Day holiday. All RESULTS offices closed.

(UPDATED) Monday, November 15: Global Poverty Free Agents, 7:00 pm ET. If you are interested in joining, contact Lisa Marchal for more information.

Tuesday, November 16: U.S. Poverty Free Agents, 1:00 pm and 8:00 pm ET. If you are interested in joining, Jos Linn for more information.

Tuesday, November 16, Motivational Interviewing Techniques, 9:00 pm ET. Register today. Registration ends one hour prior to the webinar.

Wednesday, November 17: Action Network Webinars, 12:30 pm ET and 8:00 pm ET. Register for the afternoon session or evening session. Registration ends one hour prior to each webinar.

Thursday, November 18: U.S. Poverty Monthly Policy Forum, 8:00 pm ET. Register here. Registration ends one hour prior to the webinar.

Thursday, November 18: Global Poverty Monthly Policy Forum, 9:00 pm ET. Register here. Registration ends one hour prior to the webinar.

Thursday, November 25-Friday, November 26: Thanksgiving holiday break. All RESULTS offices closed.

Grassroots Resources

Learn about the RESULTS Experts on Poverty.

To update volunteer info (e.g., subscribe to the Weekly Update or action alerts, add new advocate information, update an existing advocate’s information or preferences), use our Volunteer Information Form.

Find actions and volunteer resources on our Volunteers Hub, including our anti-oppression resources.

Remember to please report your recent advocacy successes in lobby meetings, media, and outreach activities.

To join the RESULTS listserv for more RESULTS conversation, send an email to [email protected].

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.