Hoyer, Lee Statement on the Trump Administration's Assertion That the War on Poverty is Over

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA), chair of the Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity, released the following statement in response to to the Trump Administration's statement that the War on Poverty is “largely over and a success” in their argument for work requirements:

“President Trump’s Administration is flat wrong, and this statement displays its utter ignorance of the poverty challenges our country faces. The war on poverty in America is far from over, and success will continue to prove elusive as long as this President and his Republican allies in Congress insist on disinvesting from key anti-poverty programs and continue to threaten Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Imposing burdensome work requirements on those who are struggling in poverty does not create jobs or increase employment. Instead, they create barriers for individuals who are trying to get ahead. Even if this Administration doesn’t care about hardworking Americans struggling to get by, it should at least refrain from insulting them by pretending their struggles don’t even exist.”