Remarks -- Chairman Becerra: Republicans Asleep at The Wheel on Tackling Poverty, Offering Only Lip Service to Working Americans

Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra (CA-34) joined Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02), Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA-12) and other House Democratic leaders this morning to call for strong investments in anti-poverty programs, in contrast to Speaker Ryan's taskforce on poverty, which targets the most vulnerable Americans rather than helping them. Chairman Becerra's remarks follow below and photos from the event may be found here.

"Republicans talk but do nothing. They're asleep at the wheel on passing a budget, on confirming a Supreme Court justice, on fixing our broken immigration system. And they're asleep at the wheel on tackling poverty for the more than 46 million Americans and 15 million children living below the poverty line.

"While Republicans in Washington just talk in their sleep, Democrats and Americans outside the DC bubble are up and active: in my City of LA, we have increased the minimum wage to $15/hour by 2020. So has Seattle and so has San Francisco, as well as Mountain View and Emeryville.

"Democrats will go after tax cheats who move jobs and their headquarters overseas. We'll invest in small businesses that create jobs here for Americans looking for a chance. Democrats will make college debt-free for families who work hard but aren't rich. And Democrats will strengthen Social Security, not cut seniors' COLA. That's not talk; that's progress, and that makes a real difference for hard-working Americans.

"We have to get back to rewarding hard work so that hardworking people like my parents, a clerical worker and construction worker, can have the chance to own their own home, send their kids to college and earn a secure retirement.

"Republicans only offer lip service to working Americans who live only a paycheck from poverty. And they've sucker-punched the middle class. We'll believe the Republicans on their talk once they start doing -- passing a budget, confirming a Supreme Court justice, passing immigration reform. Until then, they're all talk in this Do Nothing Congress."

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