Ending Poverty & Expanding Opportunity
By raising the minimum wage, supporting affordable housing, preserving critical nutritional assistance programs, increasing access to high-quality health care and education, protecting Social Security, and continuing efforts to create well-paying jobs here at home, Democratic policies ensure more American families will have the resources and opportunities they need to attain the American Dream. Through the Inflation Reduction Act, landmark legislation to reduce health care costs for millions, Democrats are working to expand access to quality, affordable health care coverage and put money back in the pockets of working Americans. In 2013, Leader Hoyer launched the Majority Leader Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity, which works to raise awareness among 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, which is chaired by Congresswoman Barbara Lee, meets frequently with key stakeholders, advocates, and Administration officials to identify root causes of poverty and support strategies and initiatives aimed at eliminating poverty. As our nation continues to confront the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, House Democrats will continue to work with President Biden to ensure that our public health and economic policies promote equity in access to economic relief and that our recovery addresses long-standing challenges in the fight against poverty.
This week, Speaker Ryan and House Republicans are beginning to unveil piece of their policy platform, which they call “A Better Way.” The first plank of Speaker Ryan’s agenda is supposed to address poverty, but the plan is just another attempt to rebrand policies that House Republicans have put forward in the past and that we know won’t lift Americans out of poverty.
Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA), chair of the Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity, released the following statement today in response to the release of House Republicans' first plank in their "Better Way" agenda, aimed at addressing poverty in America.
Tomorrow, House Speaker Paul Ryan is set to unveil the first plank of his “A Better Way” platform, which he says will put those living in poverty “on the ladder of opportunity, reward work, [and] open our economy so everyone can make the most of their lives.”
Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA), chair of the Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity, released the following statement today in response to today's Republican hearing on poverty in the House Ways and Means Committee.
Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA), chair of the Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity, released the following statement today in response to reports that House Republicans are proposing cuts to nutrition assistance in a spending cut package to help get votes for their budget resolution.
Late on Friday, the Republican Study Committee (RSC) released recommendations for Speaker Ryan’s six Republican task forces. While the recommendations to all six task forces are deeply troubling, the recommendations for the Task Force on Poverty, Opportunity, and Upward Mobility, which are outlined in Strengthening Our Safety Net to Empower People, are particularly egregious in their inaccuracy and callousness.
House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) delivered remarks today at a Steering & Policy Committee hearing on poverty in America.
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.
Mr. Speaker, this week marks the sixth anniversary of the adoption of the Affordable Care Act.
Wanted to be sure you saw today's column for the Center for American Progress’s “Talk Poverty” blog by House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee, chair of the Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity.