War On Poverty

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, 50 years ago, President Johnson declared an unconditional war on poverty in America and established landmark programs--such as Head Start, Medicare, and Job Corps--that were designed to give all Americans the opportunity to succeed.

These programs have had a substantial impact, cutting poverty by one-third since 1967. Despite the progress, however, we still have a lot to do.

Today, 100 million Americans live in or near the brink of poverty, including 42 million women and 28 million children. In Nevada, nearly 18 percent of women and 24 percent of children live in poverty, a situation made evenworse by the gender wage gap and the lack of paid leave and affordable care. It is hard to lean in when you are barely hanging on.

What is more, cuts to SNAP and unemployment insurance have placed even greater hardships on those already struggling to get by. Denying this vital lifeline is morally indefensible and economically shortsighted.

To win the war on poverty, we must strengthen, not gut, the programs that protect and empower millions of people every day, giving everyone in this great country an opportunity to succeed.

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