Jobs are the Best Cure for Poverty

Floor Speech

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, last week we marked the 50th anniversary of the war on poverty. While the standard of living of Americans has risen in the last 50 years, the number of those who fall under the poverty line has remained largely constant.

In war, good generals adjust when current tactics aren't producing results. Yet we continue to wage war on poverty with the same tired, bureaucratic ideas. This strategy was outdated in 1964; it is antiquated today. The solution to poverty isn't aid programs; it is jobs.

Last week also marked one of the worst jobs reports in years. President Johnson said he wanted ``to give our fellow citizens a fair chance to develop their own capacities.'' My bill, the SKILLS Act, would streamline the Federal Government's overlapping and outdated workforce development programs and help put Americans back to work.

The SKILLS Act passed the House with bipartisan support. It is time for the Senate to take action on this vital legislation.

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