By Eric Mitchell
Last week, Congress passed big wins in our work to end hunger.
Because of your advocacy, critical domestic and international anti-hunger and development assistance programs now have the additional funding that they so desperately needed. In the tax bill, the earned income tax credit (EITC) and child tax credit (CTC) improvements are permanently in law, preventing 16 million people from falling into or deeper into poverty. And, we successfully beat back a last minute effort to increase shipping costs, which would have denied life-saving food aid to up to 2 million people.
Don’t doubt that your emails and calls to Congress make a difference. Last week, you proved that they do! These achievements represent years of work and faithful advocacy. Rallying with a sudden urgency, you responded powerfully — and won!
Don’t forget, accountability is key. Call (800-826-3688) and thank your members of Congress who voted the right way. Express disappointment if they voted against these measures. House votes for the EITC/CTC improvements can be found here. House votes for the appropriations bill are here, and the Senate vote on both bills combined can be found here. See how your representative voted, then call them today.
I am deeply grateful for all your continuous work and faithful advocacy to end hunger. You inspire me to keep pressing on when I get discouraged. It is God’s grace and that relentless forward progress that propels us further toward that exodus from hunger. May God bless you and your loved ones this Christmas and in the new year.
Eric Mitchell is the director of government relations at Bread for the World.
