[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 8, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H45]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             WAR ON POVERTY

  (Mr. HORSFORD asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HORSFORD. Mr. Speaker, 50 years ago today, President Johnson 
declared a war on poverty. Since that day, our country has fought to 
increase access to resources for those struggling to make ends meet.
  Poverty has declined by more than one-third since 1967. That is 
because, historically, we have had strong bipartisan support for 
programs like Social Security and Medicare and tax policies like the 
Earned Income Tax Credit.
  But the war on poverty is not over. In 2012 there were 49.7 million 
Americans living in poverty, including 13.4 million of our children.
  We cannot break our promise to fight poverty. That is why this 
Congress needs to do everything to strengthen these programs and lift 
people out of poverty.
  Tax credits for struggling families reduced the poverty rate in 2012 
by 3 points. SNAP helped to reduce poverty by 3 points. Unemployment 
insurance reduces poverty as well, and it is why we need to extend it.
  Our commitment to these programs must not waver. Let us work together 
to really end poverty now.

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