On the recordFebruary 18, 2011
This is a very important amendment, and I have called it the 10-20-30 amendment. It deals with what we call ``persistent poverty counties''--those places in America that have experienced a poverty rate of at least 20 percent for the last 30 years. My amendment requires that at least 10 percent of the funds in certain accounts be directed to counties where 20 percent or more of their citizens have languished below the Federal poverty level for the last 30 years; hence, the 10-20-30 approach. Mr. Chairman, approximately 15 percent of all counties in America qualify as persistent poverty counties. These counties are diverse and spread across the country, including Appalachian communities in Kentucky and West Virginia, Native American communities in South Dakota and Alaska, Latino communities in Arizona and New Mexico, African American communities in North and South Carolina. They are urban communities in Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, and St. Louis. Democrats represent 149 of these counties, with a total population of 8.7 million. Republicans represent 311 of these counties, with a total population of 8.3 million. Fourteen of these counties, with a total population of 5.3 million, are split between Democrats and Republicans. A total of 43 Democrats and 84 Republicans represent all or a part of these counties, and 35 of our 50 States have at least one persistent poverty county.
