CBC Chairman G. K. Butterfield and Congresswoman Barbara Lee Respond to House Republican’s So-Called Poverty Plan

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressional Black Caucus Chairman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released the following joint statement in response to the House Republican’s ‘Better Way’ policy agenda:

“The House Republican ‘Better Way’ agenda is the ‘Wrong Way’ to alleviate poverty and lift Americans into the middle class,” said CBC Chairman Butterfield.  “Repackaging the same discredited policies they have put forward in the past, House Republicans are simply offering failed solutions to address the ongoing crisis of poverty in America.  We know that proposals like work requirements and block grants will not lift the 47 million Americans living in poverty into the middle class, and we know that it is time for real solutions to an issue that has continued to plague families across the country for generations.  Members of the CBC have addressed our concerns on persistent poverty with Speaker Ryan in the past and we will continue to hold him along with our Republican colleagues accountable for policies that would make it harder for the country’s most vulnerable families to realize the American Dream.”

“Let’s be clear – we won’t solve the epidemic of poverty by preventing families from getting ahead,” said Congresswoman Lee, who serves as Chair of the Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality and Opportunity and as a co-chair of the CBC’s Poverty and the Economy Task Force.  “Quite simply, cutting food assistance, affordable housing and job training programs will create more poverty.  With more than half of Americans expected to live in poverty or near-poverty during their working years, families can’t afford Speaker Ryan’s cuts.”