Rejecting policy proposals that threaten programs for low-income Americans

Washington, DC, October 6, 2017 —Statement from Joanne Carter, Executive Director of RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund:

“Yesterday the House of Representatives passed a budget resolution that threatens to slash critical anti-poverty programs while fast-tracking massive tax cuts for the wealthy and big corporations. This is unacceptable, but sadly not new. This vote is the latest in a series of congressional proposals threatening programs that help millions of Americans put food on the table, get affordable health care, and make ends meet.

This same harmful pattern has held constant through various versions of health care bills, the House and Senate budget resolutions, and new tax proposals. All would jeopardize critical anti-poverty programs, whether through direct funding cuts, devastating structural changes, making low-income tax credits harder to claim, or giving tax breaks to the wealthy and threatening future funding for basic health, nutrition, and other assistance programs.

We must stay vigilant and fight to stop these damaging policies. Here’s why: In 2016, tax credits for low-income workers lifted 8.2 million people out of poverty. SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, lifted 3.6 million people above the poverty line. Medicaid provided health care for one in five Americans. Gutting these programs to pay for tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires is just wrong. And instead of expanding effective tax credits for low-income working families, under the tax framework released last week low-income Americans could see their taxes go up. The most vulnerable among us – including millions of kids – will needlessly suffer so that the rich can get even richer.

This is simply bad policy, and will only make poverty and inequality even worse. As Congress looks to finalize the budget and move on to tax legislation, we ask them to remember that people’s lives are at stake. We urge members of Congress to vote against any proposal that puts core anti-poverty programs at risk. Rather than undermining what we already know works, let’s focus on strengthening and expanding effective anti-poverty policies to create opportunity, address wage stagnation, reduce wealth inequality, and make sure all Americans can make ends meet.”

About RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund:

RESULTS supports a movement of passionate, committed everyday people using their voices to influence political decisions that will bring an end to poverty. Our movement of volunteers is backed by a staff of researchers, policy analysts, and legislative and media experts. Our shared goal is the end of poverty. We have affiliates and partners across five continents, and a network of volunteers in all 50 states and worldwide. We’re a non-partisan advocacy group comprised of RESULTS Educational Fund, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, and RESULTS, a nonprofit 501(c)4 grassroots lobbying organization.

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