As Congress takes a recess for the holidays, much work is left to be done. If Congress does not pass a FY26 budget by the end of January, we could face another government shutdown. Rushing policy that impacts 350 million Americans is a recipe for bad policy. 

It is imperative that Congress be deliberate and prioritize policies that help people struggling with poverty both here in the U.S. and around the world. They must also ensure that any budget is ironclad with safeguards that prevent the Trump Administration from again withholding funds that Congress has allocated by law. 

While members of Congress are home, submit a letter to the editor urging Congress to pass an enforceable budget that invests in ending poverty.