Editor’s note: On Tuesday, the Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity met with CHN Executive Director Deborah Weinstein.  The conversation focused on new Census data on poverty, the Republican budget, appropriations, and the effectiveness of anti-poverty programs.  This is the Task Force’s statement following that meeting:
“I thank Deborah Weinstein for joining us to today to discuss the progress made in reducing poverty and what Congress needs to do to lift more Americans out of poverty and into the middle class,” said House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer.  “While the latest Census data shows that the poverty rate has fallen to 12.7 percent and 2.5 million Americans rose above the poverty line in 2016, we still have substantial work to do to ensure that Americans aren’t left behind.  I will continue to work with Chair Barbara Lee and members of the Task Force to ensure we are adequately investing in proven anti-poverty programs like nutrition assistance and continue to oppose the draconian cuts Republicans want to make to gut these programs.”

Chair Barbara Lee said, “Ending poverty in America is both a moral and economic imperative. Today Whip Hoyer and I had an extremely productive discussion with Deborah Weinstein around the work that remains to give every American the keys they need to unlock the American dream.  We also focused on the disparities new Census data revealed which shows that communities of color continue to disproportionately live in poverty as our nation recovers from the Great Recession.  I look forward to continue working with Whip Hoyer and my colleagues on the Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity to address this disparity and provide more Americans with opportunities to access the middle class.”

Launched in 2013, the Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity works to raise the awareness of Members of Congress and the American people about the ongoing crisis of poverty, the positive human and economic impacts of effective poverty alleviation programs, and the need for a comprehensive national effort to eradicate poverty.  The Task Force consults with key stakeholders to develop support for strategies to eradicate poverty and build opposition to proposed cuts to anti-poverty programs by the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans.