But I would point out that when we had what was called a war on poverty--which was really not a war on poverty, but at least a battle against poverty--we ended up at one point with 16 percent of the children of America living in poverty, down from 23 percent. We are now back up to 23 percent, and we ought to do better. That is Government policy, it is private sector, it is all of us working together.
Lateefah Simon: “But I would point out that when we had what was called a war on poverty--which was really not a war on poverty, but at…”
Editor's note · Context
Discussing the impact of government policy on child poverty rates.
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