State of the Union March 2026

Clint visited the U.K. in February, where he met with Borgen Project volunteers and Members of Parliament to discuss the importance of humanitarian assistance and provide an update on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Our delegation included physicians who have volunteered in Gaza and were able to share firsthand perspectives about the most pressing needs.

Huge thanks to Alistair McLean and Sudeepthi Munagala for setting up MP meetings for Clint during his visit to the U.K. We’re also especially grateful to Josh Brookin for his incredible support in coordinating meetings and helping the group throughout the visit!

Here are some photos from the trip!

L-R: Dr. Ayesha Khan (Borgen Project Board of Advisors), Clint Borgen, MP Bambos Charalambous, Josh Brookin, and Dr. James Smith.

Coffee with Clint and Borgen Project volunteers in London.

Political Updates

Lobbying and Advocacy Efforts

Total # of Lobbying Meetings in February: 23
Total # of Lobbying Meetings in 2026: 38
Lobbying Meetings Goal for 2026: 400

Advocacy Emails

- Total # of Advocacy Emails in February: 2,623
- Total # of Advocacy Emails in 2026: 5,068
- Advocacy Emails Goal for 2026: 45,000
- % of Congress Emailed Year to Date: 61%

Congressional Office Meetings and Bird Dogging

Political Affairs & Regional Director Team members, Kayra Kaya and Rebekar Warner met with MP Ben Spencer (Runnymede and Weybridge)

Political Affairs Team member, Ashley-Ann Francis had a lobby meeting with Representative Dale Strong (R-AL-5)’s District Director, Dylan Smith. Ashely-Ann also met with a staffer from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)’s office.

Content Team member, Umaymah Suhail met with MP Bardish Chagger (Waterloo)

Political Affairs Team member, Aidan O’Herin attended a California gubernatorial candidate forum. Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA-14) and former Representative Katie Porter were both there, and he was able to ask both about their support for foreign aid and whether Rep. Swalwell would co-sponsor the Block the Bombs Act.

Political Affairs Team member Zalal Uddin Md Akram had a lobby meeting with Senator Tina Smith (D-MN)’s Legislative Assistant.

Updates from DC

Listen in to hear all of the latest updates from DC.

Recognition

Congratulations to the following team members who have achieved Borgen Project Honors & Recognition

- Chief Closer Award (raised $1,000 or more):
  - Political Team: John Aton, Aleyna Bahar, Gordon Lee
- Bird-Dog Award:
  - Political Team: Aidan O’Herin, Abigail Curry
- Public Outreach Award:
  - Zanobiya Ahmad
- Article of the Month: From Opium to Opportunity: Reducing Poverty in Northern Thailand by Polly Laws