Larson Calls for New Action to Combat Poverty

Washington - Today, the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means met for a full hearing on reducing poverty. Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement:

"Too often in our Committee and in Congress, we are focused on messaging and sound bites – not solutions. Instead of focusing on ideological disagreements, let’s work constructively and think outside the box to look for some of the best practices that states, municipalities, and the private sector have employed that have helped lift people out of poverty.

"In Connecticut, we have the Aetna, which has led the way in the corporate community by offering a minimum wage of $16 per hour to employees and reduced out of pocket costs in their employees’ health plans. We should encourage more businesses to follow the Aetna's example and prove that you can both run a successful business and provide for the people you employ.

"We should also invest in Promise Zones like Hartford's North End where poverty, unemployment, and violence are far too common. I am proud to work with Chairman Hal Rodgers of Kentucky on a bipartisan plan to encourage businesses to locate within and hire residents from our nation's Promise Zones.

"We are one of the wealthiest nations in the world, and it is simply unconscionable to allow so many of our friends and neighbors to struggle. We must do more. To that end, I am calling on Chairman Kevin Brady and my colleagues in the Ways and Means Committee to hold hearings in our districts and directly hear from the people and the challenges they face. We cannot simply talk about ending poverty. We must take action."

Last year, Larson held a community forum in the North End of Hartford that led to a number of residents from the 06120 zip code traveling to Washington to meet directly with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Justice, and other agencies. He will continue to call for forums and field hearings that allow the American public to make their voices heard and shape our national policies.

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