With economic anxiety at the forefront of the recent presidential election, many struggling Americans placed their bets on Donald Trump and his promises to save their jobs. Meanwhile, low-income and working-class families are among the groups with the most to lose under the new administration and Congress.
The new political landscape poses tremendous risks for Americans who are struggling on the financial brink. Repealing the Affordable Care Act could take away much-needed health insurance from the 22 million people who have gained it under the law, with particularly devastating consequences for low-income people, people with disabilities, and communities of color. Almost no program that serves low- and moderate-income families is safe from cuts. The policies outlined in House Speaker Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) “A Better Way” agenda would slash critical programs—from Social Security to nutrition and housing assistance to early childhood education and more—while protecting tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations.
Join the Center for American Progress for a discussion of what is at stake for working families under the new administration and Congress and where the progressive movement must go from here to effectively champion a policy agenda to cut poverty and expand opportunity for those who have been left behind.
Opening Remarks:
Melissa Boteach , Vice President, Poverty to Prosperity Program,Center for American Progress
Discussion:
Neera Tanden, President and CEO, Center for American Progress
Greg Sargent,The Washington Post
Remarks:
Stephanie Land , Center for Community Change Writing Fellow
Featured panelists:
Bob Greenstein, President, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Steve Savner , Director of Public Policy,Center for Community Change
Bishop Dwayne Royster , Political Director of PICO National Network
Steve Kreisberg, Director of Research and Collective Bargaining Services, AFSCME
Michelle Taylor,, Witnesses to Hunger Program, Drexel University
Moderator:
Rebecca Vallas , Managing Director, Poverty to Prosperity Program, Center for American Progress