Post by bot on Mar 4, 2016 8:29:40 GMT -5
Hoyer Remarks on House Democrats’ Call for Bipartisan Action to Combat Poverty
WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) attended a press conference hosted by Rep. Jim McGovern (MA-02) today to call on House Republicans to make strong investments in anti-poverty programs following Speaker Ryan’s announcement of a Republican task force on poverty. Below is a transcript of his remarks:
“Thank you very much [Congressman] Jim McGovern. Jim McGovern has been in this fight every day he’s been in the Congress of the United States. We are here in the cold, but we are here to talk about those people who have been left out in the cold, who are the victims of our negligence and inaction. I want to thank Rep. McGovern for hosting this press conference.
“Speaker Ryan has spoken at much greater length than many Republicans about the importance of combatting poverty. I appreciate his work, but those in poverty would appreciate his actions. Now, he’s announced the formation of a Republican task force on that subject of poverty. Welcome, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to note that we formed the Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity back in 2013 – under the leadership of [Congresswoman] Barbara Lee of California. I thank her for her leadership.
“I say to the Speaker: it’s one thing to ‘talk the talk,’ it’s another thing to ‘walk the walk.’ House Republicans have been pursuing policies that you’ve heard from Jim McGovern year after year after year that directly target the most vulnerable Americans. They’ve voted repeatedly for budgets – written by Speaker Ryan when he was Budget Chairman – that slash investment in programs serving the hungry, the homeless, and the sick and that grow opportunities to help them rise out of poverty.
“That’s why [the Democratic Whip Task Force is] ‘Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity’— to lift those in the underclass to the middle class so that they can support themselves and their families and make a stronger America. House Democrats are ready to work with the Speaker if Republicans are willing to take a different approach and invest in anti-poverty programs like Head Start and Meals on Wheels instead of disinvesting in them. Not to mention Medicare and Medicaid and Social Security, which has lifted millions and millions of people out of poverty.
“I’m glad to join my colleagues here, the Chairman of our Caucus, Members of our Caucus who have all been fighting for people who we want to lift up into the middle class and make America stronger. So thank you Congressman McGovern.”