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War On Poverty

Floor Speech

Date: Jan. 8, 2014
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Unemployed and Low-Income Taxes Health and Health Care

Mr. Speaker, 50 years ago today, President Johnson declared a war on poverty. Since that day, our country has fought to increase access to resources for those struggling to make ends meet.

Poverty has declined by more than one-third since 1967. That is because, historically, we have had strong bipartisan support for programs like Social Security and Medicare and tax policies like the Earned Income Tax Credit.

But the war on poverty is not over. In 2012 there were 49.7 million Americans living in poverty, including 13.4 million of our children.

We cannot break our promise to fight poverty. That is why this Congress needs to do everything to strengthen these programs and lift people out of poverty.

Tax credits for struggling families reduced the poverty rate in 2012 by 3 points. SNAP helped to reduce poverty by 3 points. Unemployment insurance reduces poverty as well, and it is why we need to extend it.

Our commitment to these programs must not waver. Let us work together to really end poverty now.


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