DeLauro Marks the 53rd Anniversary of the War on Poverty
WASHINGTON, DC (August 20, 2017) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement to mark the 53rd anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Economic Opportunity Act into law.
"Fifty-three years ago, President Johnson and Congress worked together to create a social safety net that made lifting families out of poverty a national priority. With a laser-like focus on helping people in their time of need, these leaders created programs to help end hunger, create good paying jobs, provide health care, and make sure our children get a good education.
"The biggest issue people face today is that they work in jobs that do not pay them enough to live on. Instead of working with Democrats to address this critical issue, President Trump and Republicans in Congress have put America's social safety net under attack. Programs like SNAP, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid help people bounce back after falling on tough times, as well as retire with dignity after a life of hard work—yet they have repeatedly been on the chopping block at the expense of tax cuts for the wealthy and those with the most lobbyists.
"Attacks on our social safety net do not reflect our values. In America, we believe in helping families put food on the table and secure access to health care—not turning a blind eye to those who are most vulnerable. That is exactly what President Johnson intended all those years ago when he declared an ‘unconditional war on poverty,' and that is what I will continue to fight to protect."