The resolution urges the federal government to raise the federal poverty line for public assistance programs, highlighting that the current measurement is outdated and inadequate. Established in the 1960s, the poverty line was based solely on a household's ability to purchase basic food items, failing to account for essential living expenses such as housing, transportation, child care, and medical costs, which have significantly increased over the past sixty years. As a result, while approximately 53 million households struggle to afford basic necessities, only 37.9 million are officially recognized as living in poverty as of 2022. This discrepancy prevents many individuals and families from accessing vital public assistance programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Program.

The resolution also addresses the exacerbating factors of the COVID-19 pandemic and rising inflation, which have intensified the financial challenges faced by low-income Americans. Additionally, it points out the unintended consequences of recent minimum wage increases, which have led to a "benefits cliff" where low-wage earners lose access to essential public assistance programs in exchange for minimal pay increases. By advocating for an increase in the federal poverty line, the resolution aims to ensure that more individuals and households can qualify for necessary social welfare programs, thereby providing better support for those in need.