Federal Budget Advocacy

Push for a significant Pell increase in the annual appropriations process (or a multi-year reconciliation bill if available).

Win a meaningful Pell increase through the annual appropriations process, using the recent FY2023 and FY2024 bumps as proof the pathway works. Build a bipartisan appropriator strategy and push for inclusion in must-pass funding vehicles when possible. This matters now because the current maximum award leaves large gaps for students, and incremental action can compound into the at-least-10% increase this cause targets.

Why this works

Appropriations can enact immediate increases; already, FY2023 and FY2024 saw small Pell bumps, so continuing that trend with bipartisan appropriators could yield wins.

National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare

Advocacy

ncpssm.org

Protecting and enhancing retirement and health security for seniors

The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM) is a grassroots advocacy organization founded in 1982 to serve as an advocate in Washington for the financial security of seniors. NCPSSM fights against cuts to Social Security and Medicare, pushes for benefit improvements (like more accurate COLAs), and works to ensure these programs’ long-term solvency. With millions of members and supporters, the Committee lobbies Congress, conducts public education, and organizes seniors to speak out on issues such as prescription drug pricing and protection from inflation.

Mechanism

About Lobbying

How National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare uses funding

Identify appropriations committees and negotiators who have supported recent Pell bumps
Align coalition partners on a clear increase ask consistent with this cause’s win criteria
Provide budget analysis and messaging on affordability and the gap students face
Lobby for inclusion in annual appropriations language or reconciliation vehicles when available
Run rapid-response during negotiations to prevent proposed cuts from becoming final
Mobilize endorsements and public pressure timed to appropriations milestones

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Milestones

Checkpoints and the expected timing for each step

1
Align the appropriations ask and coalition
Near-term
Coalition agrees on a clear increase target and messaging for appropriators
2
Secure appropriator champions
Near-term
Key negotiators signal support for increasing the maximum award
3
Include Pell increase in draft language
Mid-term
Draft appropriations text reflects a larger Pell increase
4
Defend the increase through negotiations
Mid-term
Proposed cuts are removed and the increase survives conference negotiations
5
Enact funding and update guidance
Longer-term
Signed appropriations translate into updated Pell award guidance

Sign in to vote

Federal Budget Advocacy

Push for a significant Pell increase in the annual appropriations process (or a multi-year reconciliation bill if available).

Why this works

National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare

Mechanism

Milestones

Align the appropriations ask and coalition

Secure appropriator champions

Include Pell increase in draft language

Defend the increase through negotiations

Enact funding and update guidance

Risks, trade-offs & sources

Updates

Sign in to vote

Sign in to vote

Push for a significant Pell increase in the annual appropriations process (or a multi-year reconciliation bill if available).

Why this works

National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare

Mechanism

Milestones

Align the appropriations ask and coalition

Secure appropriator champions

Include Pell increase in draft language

Defend the increase through negotiations

Enact funding and update guidance

Risks, trade-offs & sources

Updates

Related strategies on this cause

Comprehensive Legislation

State-Level Supplementation

Public Campaign & Storytelling