Economic inequality has reached historic heights in recent decades as an off-kilter economy has concentrated the gains from economic growth in the hands of those at the top of the income ladder. Today, a staggering one in three Americans—more than 105 million people—live in poverty or are teetering on the economic brink with incomes of less than twice the poverty line.
Programs such as Social Security, nutrition assistance, and tax credits for working families have helped mitigate these trends. Additionally, efforts by the Obama administration in the past seven years have pulled the nation out of a deep recession and bolstered economic security for millions of Americans.
But we still have a long way to go to build an economy that works for everyone, rather than just the wealthy few. Next week, House Republicans are expected to release their own poverty agenda. If their budgets are any guide, the new proposals will amount to little more than slashing effective investments that help families get the child care, job training, and education they need.
Instead of proposals that fail to address the root causes of poverty, a new Congress and administration must build upon White House efforts to tackle the economic instability that has become a mainstream experience shared by working and middle-class families alike.
Please join the Center for American Progress Action Fund as we discuss “A Progressive Agenda to Cut Poverty and Expand Opportunity,” a plan to dramatically reduce poverty and promote economic mobility. Senator Brown will also preview new legislation to make the tax code work better for working families.