Ashley Burnside
@burnsideashley1.bsky.social
Senior Policy Analyst with the Public Benefits Justice Team at @CLASP.org. Previously worked at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities & the Congressional Hunger Center.
LGBTQ, disability, and anti-poverty advocate.
All views are my own. (she/her)
LGBTQ, disability, and anti-poverty advocate.
All views are my own. (she/her)
Pinned
Hello everyone! My name is Ashley Burnside, and I am a Senior Policy Analyst with the Public Benefits Justice Team at @clasp.org. I research tax credits including the CTC and the EITC, as well as TANF cash assistance and SSI disability benefits. I also advocate for disability and LGBTQ+ equity.
Congress is considering a bill that would provide statutory authority for states to use federal TANF funds toward anti-abortion centers, also known as crisis pregnancy centers. TANF funds should go to families with low incomes, not toward centers that shame women.
www.clasp.org/publications...
www.clasp.org/publications...
Use TANF Funding For Cash Assistance, Not Crisis Pregnancy Centers | CLASP
All pregnant people should have the right to make their own reproductive decisions, free from legal restrictions; misleading, coercive, or false health information; and financial constraints. TANF can...
www.clasp.org
January 21, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Congress is considering a bill that would provide statutory authority for states to use federal TANF funds toward anti-abortion centers, also known as crisis pregnancy centers. TANF funds should go to families with low incomes, not toward centers that shame women.
www.clasp.org/publications...
www.clasp.org/publications...
I am proud to have contributed to this important @clasp.org report documenting the harms from the first year of the Trump Administration's second term across issue areas including public benefits, immigration, child care, early and higher education, and workers' rights.
www.clasp.org/publications...
www.clasp.org/publications...
January 20, 2026 at 8:52 PM
I am proud to have contributed to this important @clasp.org report documenting the harms from the first year of the Trump Administration's second term across issue areas including public benefits, immigration, child care, early and higher education, and workers' rights.
www.clasp.org/publications...
www.clasp.org/publications...
This week, the HHS announced the withholding of funding for TANF, CCDF child care subsidies, and the SSBG program from California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York. These states stand to lose a total of $10 billion in federal funding. (1/3) Read more: www.clasp.org/press-room/p...
Freezing $10 Billion in Federal Funding Will Harm Children and Families | CLASP
The Trump Administration is using politically motivated, racist, and anti-immigrant commentary to villainize those who oppose them and excuse the illegal withholding of federal funding. Children, fami...
www.clasp.org
January 9, 2026 at 3:04 PM
This week, the HHS announced the withholding of funding for TANF, CCDF child care subsidies, and the SSBG program from California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York. These states stand to lose a total of $10 billion in federal funding. (1/3) Read more: www.clasp.org/press-room/p...
See @clasp.org's statement on child care providers being attacked by "influencers," and how the federal government's response will threaten access to vital child care for children and families throughout the nation: www.clasp.org/press-room/p...
Child Care Providers Across Many States Attacked by “Influencers”; HHS Response Threatens Access for Children and Families | CLASP
Washington, D.C., January 5, 2026 — Last week, an ill-informed YouTube “influencer” accused child care centers run by Somali providers in Minnesota of fraud. In response to these accusations and witho...
www.clasp.org
January 5, 2026 at 5:49 PM
See @clasp.org's statement on child care providers being attacked by "influencers," and how the federal government's response will threaten access to vital child care for children and families throughout the nation: www.clasp.org/press-room/p...
I'm quoted in @newrepublic.com about the affordability crisis w/ my colleague Lorena Roque: "We can’t talk about affordability in this moment without naming the huge health care costs that families are now facing because of the expiration of the premium tax credits.”
newrepublic.com/article/2042...
newrepublic.com/article/2042...
What Does It Mean to Be in an “Affordability Crisis”?
Democrats are running on fixing it. Trump is running from it. But what does this year’s political buzzword really mean?
newrepublic.com
December 10, 2025 at 6:11 PM
I'm quoted in @newrepublic.com about the affordability crisis w/ my colleague Lorena Roque: "We can’t talk about affordability in this moment without naming the huge health care costs that families are now facing because of the expiration of the premium tax credits.”
newrepublic.com/article/2042...
newrepublic.com/article/2042...
My CLASP policy brief responds to New York Times reporting about the Baby's First Years study from earlier this summer which questioned the effectiveness of guaranteed income (GI) programs. GI programs work, and one study shouldn't discount the success of them.
www.clasp.org/publications...
www.clasp.org/publications...
Despite Misleading Reporting, Guaranteed Income Programs Help Families | CLASP
New brief details how guaranteed income programs help families thrive and boost economic security.
www.clasp.org
November 25, 2025 at 7:56 PM
My CLASP policy brief responds to New York Times reporting about the Baby's First Years study from earlier this summer which questioned the effectiveness of guaranteed income (GI) programs. GI programs work, and one study shouldn't discount the success of them.
www.clasp.org/publications...
www.clasp.org/publications...
Reposted by Ashley Burnside
After enacting the deepest #SNAP cuts in history & needlessly disrupting benefits during the shutdown, the Trump Administration is quietly advancing draft regulations to take SNAP away from millions more people – primarily working families with kids, seniors & disabled people.
November 19, 2025 at 7:45 PM
After enacting the deepest #SNAP cuts in history & needlessly disrupting benefits during the shutdown, the Trump Administration is quietly advancing draft regulations to take SNAP away from millions more people – primarily working families with kids, seniors & disabled people.
Reposted by Ashley Burnside
Yesterday, Homeland Security proposed to repeal the 2022 public charge rule. This would allow officers to arbitrarily deny green cards to immigrants based on their health, economic situation, or potential use of benefits like health care & food assistance. Learn more:
www.clasp.org/press-room/p...
www.clasp.org/press-room/p...
Public Charge Proposal Threatens the Health and Well-being of Immigrant Families and All Communities | CLASP
CLASP is committed to ensuring that all families are able to meet their basic needs, and we will work alongside our partners to defeat this reckless public charge proposal as we did under the first Tr...
www.clasp.org
November 18, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Yesterday, Homeland Security proposed to repeal the 2022 public charge rule. This would allow officers to arbitrarily deny green cards to immigrants based on their health, economic situation, or potential use of benefits like health care & food assistance. Learn more:
www.clasp.org/press-room/p...
www.clasp.org/press-room/p...
Reposted by Ashley Burnside
[1] This morning, federal agents entered a learning center without a warrant and detained a Pre-K teacher in front of the children she cares for. In a video, the woman can be seen telling the agents that she has documentation.
19thnews.org/2025/11/chil...
19thnews.org/2025/11/chil...
November 5, 2025 at 10:55 PM
[1] This morning, federal agents entered a learning center without a warrant and detained a Pre-K teacher in front of the children she cares for. In a video, the woman can be seen telling the agents that she has documentation.
19thnews.org/2025/11/chil...
19thnews.org/2025/11/chil...
Reposted by Ashley Burnside
Nearly a month into the government shutdown, millions of families are paying the price for deliberate policy choices by the Trump Administration and Congress.
This is a 🚨manufactured🚨 crisis that’s putting jobs, food, and care at risk.
This is a 🚨manufactured🚨 crisis that’s putting jobs, food, and care at risk.
October 29, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Nearly a month into the government shutdown, millions of families are paying the price for deliberate policy choices by the Trump Administration and Congress.
This is a 🚨manufactured🚨 crisis that’s putting jobs, food, and care at risk.
This is a 🚨manufactured🚨 crisis that’s putting jobs, food, and care at risk.
Reposted by Ashley Burnside
Alarming news this morning that Social Security head Frank Bisignano has been named “CEO” of IRS, a move that raises 3 major concerns:
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Bessent Picks Social Security Chief Frank Bisignano as IRS CEO
The Social Security head will do double duty at the tax agency while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent retains his formal title as acting IRS commissioner.
www.wsj.com
October 6, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Alarming news this morning that Social Security head Frank Bisignano has been named “CEO” of IRS, a move that raises 3 major concerns:
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by Ashley Burnside
CTAN is outraged by the Trump Admin's attempt to forcibly remove dozens of immigrant kids over the holiday weekend.Read our statement and our partners' statements below: childrenthriveaction.org/2025/09/chil...
@clasp.org
@clasp.org
Children’s Advocates Outraged by Trump Administration’s Attempt to Deport Children in Need of Safety - Children Thrive Action Network
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACTS: Melissa Stek, Communications Consultant, melissa@mountgem.com Tom Salyers, Director of Communications, tsalyers@clasp.org Washington, DC, September 2, 2025—Me...
childrenthriveaction.org
September 2, 2025 at 9:43 PM
CTAN is outraged by the Trump Admin's attempt to forcibly remove dozens of immigrant kids over the holiday weekend.Read our statement and our partners' statements below: childrenthriveaction.org/2025/09/chil...
@clasp.org
@clasp.org
Reposted by Ashley Burnside
DOGE staff at Social Security have put the sensitive data of hundreds of millions is at "high risk," which could have “catastrophic impact,” according to internal SSA docs.
This was not only foreseeable, but widely predicted.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/u...
This was not only foreseeable, but widely predicted.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/u...
DOGE Put Critical Social Security Data at Risk, Whistle-Blower Says
www.nytimes.com
August 26, 2025 at 5:04 PM
DOGE staff at Social Security have put the sensitive data of hundreds of millions is at "high risk," which could have “catastrophic impact,” according to internal SSA docs.
This was not only foreseeable, but widely predicted.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/u...
This was not only foreseeable, but widely predicted.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/u...
Reposted by Ashley Burnside
Today marks the 90th Anniversary of the creation of the #SocialSecurityAdministration #SSA.
But now, policymakers want to cut funding from SSA. Without these benefits, SSI beneficiaries would be left unable to afford essentials. www.clasp.org/publications...
But now, policymakers want to cut funding from SSA. Without these benefits, SSI beneficiaries would be left unable to afford essentials. www.clasp.org/publications...
August 14, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Today marks the 90th Anniversary of the creation of the #SocialSecurityAdministration #SSA.
But now, policymakers want to cut funding from SSA. Without these benefits, SSI beneficiaries would be left unable to afford essentials. www.clasp.org/publications...
But now, policymakers want to cut funding from SSA. Without these benefits, SSI beneficiaries would be left unable to afford essentials. www.clasp.org/publications...
The #ChildTaxCredit amount and eligibility rules changed in the budget reconciliation bill. Unfortunately, the credit won't be available for families with the lowest incomes and some immigrant families. Learn 10 things to know about the #CTC in my new @clasp.org blog: www.clasp.org/blog/10-thin...
10 Things to Know About the Child Tax Credit Under the New Trump Reconciliation Bill | CLASP
By Ashley Burnside On July 4, President Trump signed his reconciliation law that will make changes to the Child Tax Credit (CTC). The reconciliation law provides tax breaks for the wealthiest people b...
www.clasp.org
July 29, 2025 at 2:34 PM
The #ChildTaxCredit amount and eligibility rules changed in the budget reconciliation bill. Unfortunately, the credit won't be available for families with the lowest incomes and some immigrant families. Learn 10 things to know about the #CTC in my new @clasp.org blog: www.clasp.org/blog/10-thin...
July is #DisabilityPrideMonth. Amid the celebrations, this month marks the passage of a law that will cause great harm for people with disabilities: the budget reconciliation law. I wrote a @clasp.org blog summarizing the ways this new law will harm disabled people: www.clasp.org/blog/july-ma...
July Marks a Call to Action for the Disability Community | CLASP
By Ashley Burnside July is an important month for the disability community, especially this year. Commonly referred to as Disability Pride Month, July commemorates the passage of the Americans with D...
www.clasp.org
July 28, 2025 at 7:26 PM
July is #DisabilityPrideMonth. Amid the celebrations, this month marks the passage of a law that will cause great harm for people with disabilities: the budget reconciliation law. I wrote a @clasp.org blog summarizing the ways this new law will harm disabled people: www.clasp.org/blog/july-ma...
"Today’s opinion has profoundly negative consequences for our nation. A large body of research has documented that U.S. citizenship is a key driver of economic growth, educational attainment, and health." Read more from @clasp.org: www.clasp.org/press-room/p...
Supreme Court Decision on Birthright Citizenship Case Will Create Chaos and Harm Our Nations’ Babies, Families, and Communities | CLASP
This fight is far from over, and CLASP stands ready to work with partners to ensure that impacted families and service providers are informed about their rights.
www.clasp.org
June 27, 2025 at 5:09 PM
"Today’s opinion has profoundly negative consequences for our nation. A large body of research has documented that U.S. citizenship is a key driver of economic growth, educational attainment, and health." Read more from @clasp.org: www.clasp.org/press-room/p...
The reconciliation package that would make devastating cuts to Medicaid and SNAP food benefits would hurt the #LGBTQ+ community and people living with HIV. Read more from the new fact sheet from @nclrights.bsky.social, @clasp.org, @hrc.org, and AIDS United: lgbtqpoverty.org/take-action
TAKE ACTION — The National LGBTQ Anti-Poverty Action Network
lgbtqpoverty.org
June 25, 2025 at 6:55 PM
The reconciliation package that would make devastating cuts to Medicaid and SNAP food benefits would hurt the #LGBTQ+ community and people living with HIV. Read more from the new fact sheet from @nclrights.bsky.social, @clasp.org, @hrc.org, and AIDS United: lgbtqpoverty.org/take-action
The Senate reconciliation bill would hurt children and families by making devastating cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, removing CTC access for 2.6 million citizen children, making the EITC harder to claim for 17 million families and more. Read more from @clasp.org: www.clasp.org/blog/senate-...
The Senate’s Budget Reconciliation Bill is Bad for Children and Families | CLASP
Families are already struggling with higher costs of living, and the Senate’s budget reconciliation bill will only increase the costs of health care, food, and everyday necessities. The bill's text af...
www.clasp.org
June 24, 2025 at 5:44 PM
The Senate reconciliation bill would hurt children and families by making devastating cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, removing CTC access for 2.6 million citizen children, making the EITC harder to claim for 17 million families and more. Read more from @clasp.org: www.clasp.org/blog/senate-...
Reposted by Ashley Burnside
Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” includes a tax loophole for billionaires—practically paying them to “donate” to private school tuition for families earning up to $500,000 a year. It increases the deficit & weakens public schools.
Tell your lawmakers: Say NO to school vouchers.
aft.org/NoToVouchers
Tell your lawmakers: Say NO to school vouchers.
aft.org/NoToVouchers
May 29, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” includes a tax loophole for billionaires—practically paying them to “donate” to private school tuition for families earning up to $500,000 a year. It increases the deficit & weakens public schools.
Tell your lawmakers: Say NO to school vouchers.
aft.org/NoToVouchers
Tell your lawmakers: Say NO to school vouchers.
aft.org/NoToVouchers
Reposted by Ashley Burnside
The U.S. House of Representatives' reconciliation bill guts health care, restricts access to food, sacrifices our higher education system, and punishes immigrant families, all to provide more tax breaks for wealthy people and corporations. See our statement: www.clasp.org/press-room/p...
House Reconciliation Bill Slashes Child and Family Supports to Fund Mass Deportation and Further Enrich the Wealthy | CLASP
This bill guts health care, restricts access to food, sacrifices our higher education system, and punishes immigrant families, all to provide more tax breaks for wealthy people and corporations.
www.clasp.org
May 22, 2025 at 6:05 PM
The U.S. House of Representatives' reconciliation bill guts health care, restricts access to food, sacrifices our higher education system, and punishes immigrant families, all to provide more tax breaks for wealthy people and corporations. See our statement: www.clasp.org/press-room/p...
Reposted by Ashley Burnside
🚨 @housedemocrats.bsky.social offered multiple amendments to the GOP's "Big Beautiful Bill," which would've blocked tax cuts to multi-millionaires and billionaires at the expense of workers and the middle class.
Republicans rejected each amendment. WATCH:
Republicans rejected each amendment. WATCH:
May 21, 2025 at 11:49 PM
🚨 @housedemocrats.bsky.social offered multiple amendments to the GOP's "Big Beautiful Bill," which would've blocked tax cuts to multi-millionaires and billionaires at the expense of workers and the middle class.
Republicans rejected each amendment. WATCH:
Republicans rejected each amendment. WATCH:
Reposted by Ashley Burnside
Billionaires don’t need tax breaks, but working families need food and health care. Join Families Over Billionaires on May 21 to demand legislation that puts the well-being of the country ahead of the bank accounts of the wealthy.
www.mobilize.us/familiesover...
www.mobilize.us/familiesover...
Rally to Stop the Billionaire Tax Scam · Families Over Billionaires
This week, Congressional Republicans are plowing full-steam ahead to pass their cruel, billionaire-first tax bill. Join us this Wednesday, May 21st, for a rally at the Capitol to speak out as the Hous...
www.mobilize.us
May 20, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Billionaires don’t need tax breaks, but working families need food and health care. Join Families Over Billionaires on May 21 to demand legislation that puts the well-being of the country ahead of the bank accounts of the wealthy.
www.mobilize.us/familiesover...
www.mobilize.us/familiesover...
Reposted by Ashley Burnside
Current law already bars people without a documented immigration status from food assistance through #SNAP. And many people with lawful immigration statuses are also barred including adults who are lawful permanent residents in their first five years in the U.S.
May 16, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Current law already bars people without a documented immigration status from food assistance through #SNAP. And many people with lawful immigration statuses are also barred including adults who are lawful permanent residents in their first five years in the U.S.
The proposed changes to the #ChildTaxCredit from the Ways and Means Committee are not targeted at the families making the lowest incomes and restrict access to the #CTC for 4.5 million children. Congress should improve the CTC to help it better fight child poverty. (1/8)
May 14, 2025 at 3:41 PM
The proposed changes to the #ChildTaxCredit from the Ways and Means Committee are not targeted at the families making the lowest incomes and restrict access to the #CTC for 4.5 million children. Congress should improve the CTC to help it better fight child poverty. (1/8)