Hoyer, Lee Statement on Speaker Ryan’s Remarks on Americans Living in Poverty

WASHINGTON, DC – Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA), chair of the Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity, released a statement today on Speaker Ryan’s comments about Americans living in poverty: 

“While it is encouraging that Speaker Ryan has realized it’s not acceptable to refer to the poor as ‘takers,’ many in his party continue to dehumanize struggling families through their words and their policies.  

“If Speaker Ryan is serious about helping struggling families, he must stop trying to gut vital safety net programs and instead reinvest in proven pathways out of poverty, including education, workforce training, and jobs.

“Americans living in poverty don’t need words – they need action.”