On the recordJune 26, 2018
Today I want to recognize the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, an incredible nonprofit organization in my hometown of Flint that is working to end hunger in the communities across my district. Each year, the food bank distributes more than 28 million pounds of food through 22 counties. In addition to providing that assistance, the food bank is doing important work to study poverty in America. It is clear through their work that the way we measure poverty in America doesn't give us the full picture. The way we look at poverty is incomplete. Many families in Michigan technically are above the Federal poverty level, but those families struggle to meet their basic needs, like a roof over their head, enough food on the table, and paying their utility bills. Congress has to do more to end poverty in this country. Instead of cutting childcare programs, healthcare, and ending tax incentives like the Earned Income Tax Credit, let's help families be self-sufficient. Let's focus on creating good jobs, raising their wages, supporting families with income that allows them to not focus just on the basic needs. This is something that we have to do. We are the richest country on the planet. We ought to be able to end poverty in America. ____________________
