Barbara Lee, Congressional Out of Poverty Caucus Hold Press Conference on Impact of Cuts to Vital Human Needs Programs
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Founding Co-Chair of the Congressional Out of Poverty Caucus (COPC), members of the COPC, and representatives from national anti-poverty organizations held a press conference on the impact of debt reduction plans on vital human needs programs for low income and poor communities. Congresswoman Lee highlighted the importance of preserving safety net programs, discussed the latest report on the growing wealth gap between white and minority communities, and encouraged House leadership to extend unemployment benefits for those who have exhausted their 99 weeks by bringing her legislation, H.R. 589, to the floor for a vote. The following are excerpts from Congresswoman Lee’s statement:
“We are gathered here today to talk about the urgent necessity of protecting vital human needs programs from the Speaker’s bill which is just another version of the extreme Republican agenda of cut, cap, and balance – that is, balancing the budget on the backs of the poor. This measure will decimate the vital safety net programs on which Americans living in poverty depend on for their survival.
“The Co-Chairs of the Congressional Out of Poverty Caucus saw the writing on the wall earlier this summer and sent a letter to the President, the Vice President, and to Congressional leadership calling for them to protect vital human needs programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security that serve our most vulnerable from this Republican attack.
“This press conference is a reminder that we are not going to stop demanding that these programs be protected as deals are cut behind closed doors and bills are voted on. We are the voice for the voiceless and we are here today to speak out on this issue.
“Americans are falling by the wayside, and that simply cannot continue – we have a moral obligation to care for our own.”
Organizations in attendance: Half in Ten Campaign, Coalition on Human Needs, Center for Economic and Policy Research, Sojourners, Bread for the World, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), D.C. LEARNs, Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Coalition, Community Action Partnership, AIDS United, YWCA, National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Association for State Community Services Programs, Food Research and Action Center, Main Street Alliance
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