The resolution urges the federal government to raise the federal poverty line for public assistance programs, highlighting that the current measurement, established in the 1960s, is outdated and only accounts for basic food costs. It fails to consider the significant increases in living expenses such as housing, transportation, child care, and health care 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 essential 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 may choose to work less or remain unemployed to retain access to crucial assistance. By advocating for an increase in the federal poverty line, the resolution aims to ensure that more individuals and households can qualify for public assistance, thereby improving their ability to meet basic needs and reducing the overall poverty rate reported by the government.