TRIO and the Mid-Term Elections: What’s at Stake
July 28, 2022
Virtual
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET
Learn practical steps to make the most of this election season and influence legislators to benefit your students and your programs in the coming years! This nonpartisan webinar will spotlight competitive House and Senate races, potential changes in TRIO-related congressional committees, and how the midterm election’s outcome will impact your programs. What do Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama have in common? They all lost their Senate and House majorities in their first midterm election. Meanwhile, President Trump lost the Senate majority in 2016 and the House majority in 2018. With many looming retirements and newly drawn districts resulting from the 2020 Census, there is a lot at stake in the 2022 mid-term elections for Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle – as well as TRIO programs, students, and professionals. For questions regarding the webinar, please contact Zach Farmer at zach.farmer@coenet.org. For Zoom support, please get in touch with Esosa Ruffin at esosa.ruffin@coenet.org.
- 2022 Lobby Visit Roadmap and Agenda
- Examples of TRIO Advocacy from Across the Community
- Turn Your Member of Congress into a TRIO Champion at Home
- Sample In-Person Meeting Request Letter
Dear TRIO Colleagues
As you know, the House Appropriations Committee just passed legislation that, if mirrored by the Senate and signed by the President, would provide TRIO with a $161 million funding increase in FY 2023 (Program Year 2023-2024). Not only would this provide enough funding to award an inflationary increase to existing projects, but it would also provide sufficient funds to fund high-scoring grants in the most recent TRIO grant competitions!
Therefore, over the next several weeks, TRIO personnel, students, parents, alumni, and other supporters must demonstrate that TRIO Works! To do this, we must make our voices heard. This midterm election provides a unique opportunity to engage with your federal officials. During their first midterm election cycles, the last four presidents lost their majority in the House and Senate. With Congress up for grabs, Members of Congress want to meet with students and their families on the campaign trail. COE is challenging the TRIO community to host as many local visits with your Representatives and Senators as possible while they are back home in their States and Districts for the Summer Congressional Recess.
House Recess: Saturday, July 30 to Monday, September 5
Senate Recess: Saturday, August 6 to Monday, September 5
Let’s Remind Your Member of Congress that TRIO Works!
Use the contact information for all congressional education staffers and schedulers by state and district.
We encourage you to take advantage of the resources in this Summer Congressional Recess Packet and to use the contact information for all congressional education staffers and schedulers by state and district. Let us know if you are planning or have already met with your Members of Congress so we can highlight your advocacy! Just send a short report including your name, title, TRIO program, state, type of meeting (site visit, one-on-one, townhall), and the name of the Representative or Senator to zach.farmer@coenet.org.
Get in Touch
Questions? Contact Director of Congressional Affairs Zach Farmer.
Vacant
Vice President, Public Policy
Zach Farmer
Director, Congressional Affairs
zach.farmer@coenet.org