White House proposal would undermine the fight against poverty in the United States
Washington, DC, February 10, 2020 – The White House budget released today proposes massive funding cuts to effective federal anti-poverty programs. Now the process and final funding decisions fall to Congress, where there is stiff opposition to much of this budget and where similar proposals have failed in recent years.
At a time when nearly 40 million Americans are living below the poverty line, this budget slashes funding for housing, nutrition, and other basic necessities. The proposal cuts funding for housing choice vouchers, Medicaid, SNAP (formerly Food Stamps), and other key programs. It also proposes policy changes that would make tax credits for low-income Americans – one of the country’s most effective anti-poverty tools – harder to access.
“In recent years, Congress has come together to reject attempts to undermine programs like SNAP, and policymakers have shown bipartisan support for expanding other effective anti-poverty programs like the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit,” said Dr. Joanne Carter, Executive Director of RESULTS. “Congress should stand against the punitive policy changes and draconian cuts in today’s budget, and instead work together to find effective, bipartisan solutions to help more people in this country to get ahead.”
“This year RESULTS advocates are pushing Congress and candidates toward bipartisan proposals to tackle poverty, including creating a new renters’ tax credit to help make rent more affordable. Today’s shortsighted budget is yet another reminder of why we need policymakers to focus on constructive, bipartisan solutions – not undermining the effective policies we already know work.”
Read RESULTS statement on proposed cuts to global poverty programs.
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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. Volunteers and staff multiply their impact through the enormous power of advocacy.
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.