RESULTS Weekly Update October 28, 2025
Quote of the Week
“Republicans blame Democrats, and Democrats blame Republicans, but all these people have food to spare. One suspects that if senators couldn’t buy groceries, the government would never close down again.”
– Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) in an October 28 op-ed in the New York Times
(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”)
Join Saturday’s National Webinar with Sachiko Osawa
Join us this Saturday, November 1 at 1 p.m. ET for the RESULTS National Webinar. This month, we will focus on current threats and long-term opportunities. We are pleased to welcome Sachiko Osawa, Community of Practice Coordinator for Leading Change Network, as our guest speaker. With the challenges we face in the policy arena, it is essential that we strengthen and expand the movement to end poverty. She will facilitate a presentation and discussion on the best practices for organizing our communities into action. We’ll also take time to update you on the federal government shutdown and its impacts, along with actions you can take to pressure Congress to end it. Register for the webinar today!
Note: Rep. Maxine Dexter (D-OR) was scheduled to appear on the November webinar but had to reschedule her appearance. We look forward to having her on a future webinar.
Demand that lawmakers protect SNAP
The government shutdown is fast approaching its second month, and Congress is still deadlocked, leaving millions of Americans to pay the price.
- The Trump Administration says Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits won’t be paid in November, affecting more than 40 million people, including families, seniors, and people with disabilities.
- Affordable Care Act open enrollment begins November 1. Without renewing enhanced premium tax credits, millions could lose their health coverage.
- At least 600,000 federal workers have been furloughed or laid off, and essential workers just missed their first paycheck.
This crisis could be eased today. The USDA has emergency reserves to partially fund SNAP in November. The Trump Administration has the authority to act but refuses to do so. And while Democratic leaders remain in DC ready to negotiate, President Trump and GOP leaders have avoided talks for weeks.
For those in power, a shutdown may seem like politics. For millions of Americans, it means hunger, lost pay, and unaffordable health care. Only Congress and the President can end this stalemate. But we can demand they act now.
- Call your representatives and senators. Call them at (202) 224-3121 and leave this message:
My name is ______________, and I’m a constituent from ______________. I am shocked and disgusted that Washington politicians are cutting off SNAP benefits for 40 million Americans, including 16 million children. Is this governing now? Rather than extend tax credits that make health insurance more affordable, just shut down the government and put SNAP at risk? It is unacceptable that the wealthy get tax cuts, while families, veterans, and people with disabilities lose their food assistance and health care. I demand Sen./Rep. ______________ tell the administration to immediately release emergency funds available to keep SNAP going. Then get back to work and pass a budget that keeps every American healthy and fed. Thank you for your time.
- Email agriculture aides. If you have a relationship with the agriculture aides for your representatives and senators, email them now about SNAP. Here is sample language you can use:
I’m writing today with grave concern. SNAP provides critical nutrition to so many in our community and I’m hearing that it won’t be funded for November. That means millions of people, nationwide and many here [insert locality] will needlessly go hungry in the wealthiest country in the world, including seniors, children, and vets. Local businesses will also suffer. This is unacceptable. The administration has a legal obligation to use SNAP contingency funds to provide November’s SNAP funding to States. Please contact Secretary Rollins and tell her to fulfill her legal obligation to fund SNAP immediately. [Insert your locality] families count on SNAP to feed themselves and they should not be the victims of partisan politics in DC.
- Submit letters to the editor. Use our updated media action alert to demand Congress negotiate a bipartisan compromise that protects people’s health care, reopens the government, and ensures a bipartisan budget that prioritizes and protects funding for anti-poverty programs.
- Ask others to act. Forward this update to people you know, asking them to call or email their members of Congress about funding SNAP, protecting health care, and ending the shutdown.
- Attend the November National Webinar. As noted above, join the National Webinar this Saturday at 1 p.m. ET for updates on the shutdown. We are also compiling a shareable list of helpful resources and organizations for people directly impacted.
Announcements
Attend the 2025 Fellowship Graduation. The RESULTS Organizing and Advocacy Fellows will celebrate their graduation on October 29 at 9 p.m. ET. This special event will honor the Fellows’ year of impactful advocacy and leadership in the fight against poverty. Virtual doors open at 8:45 p.m. ET, so guests are encouraged to register to celebrate together.
Nominate someone for a RESULTS Grassroots Award. Nominations are now being accepted for 2025 RESULTS Grassroots Awards. The Bob Dickerson Leadership Award is awarded to a grassroots volunteer who shows extraordinary leadership and commitment to the mission of RESULTS. The Cameron Duncan Media Award is given to a journalist, editor, or grassroots volunteer for outstanding work on issues related to poverty in the media. You may nominate as many people as you like. However, please make a separate submission for each person or award. The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, November 5. Nominees and recipients will be announced in December. Contact Joanna DiStefano for more information.
TL;DR (too long; didn’t read): Register for the November 1 National Webinar, participate in a SNAP call-in and further advocacy, attend the 2025 RESULTS Fellowship graduation, and nominate a fellow advocate for a 2025 RESULTS Grassroots Award.
Quick Links: Action Center, Events Calendar, National Webinar recordings