Washington, D.C. – Today, Melissa Boteach, Vice President of the Poverty and Prosperity Program at the Center for American Progress, issued the following reaction to the release of the House Republican budget:
In a transparent political move, Rep. Ryan put his long-awaited safety net reform proposal on hold in an attempt to isolate these recommendations from his radical budget, which is already a blueprint for exacerbating poverty and inequality. While the House Republican’s budget plan claims to strengthen the safety net, the reality is it slashes health care, education, child care, and other job supports for struggling families in order to pay for tax cuts for the very wealthy.
If Rep. Ryan was as committed to cutting poverty as he claims to be, his budget would include investments in job creation, education and training, and work supports that help families achieve economic security. Any future reforms Rep. Ryan proposes to the safety net must be understood in the context of this budget proposal, which guts the very resources helping families make ends meet and transition to the middle class. The House budget’s treatment of the poor speaks volumes more than any past or future rhetoric or proposals can about the low priority that those who vote for it place on creating greater economic opportunity.
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