Debt Reduction Plans Effects on Poverty

Floor Speech

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Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the devastating effects of the Republican agenda on the poor. Debt reduction plans that gut social safety net programs will put millions of low-income families at risk.

According to the U.S. Census, the number of people in poverty in 2009--43.6 million--is the largest number in the 51 years for which poverty estimates have been published.

In my home state of Ohio, 15.2 percent of the state's population lived in poverty in 2009. Among African-American seniors, 67 percent are at or below the poverty line, and 12 percent of African Americans rely on Medicare to survive.

Cuts to Medicaid will disproportionately affect African-American communities. In 2009, 27 percent of African-Americans--approximately 10 million people, including 6 million children--were covered by Medicaid.

When everyone talks about the budget, all you hear about are numbers. Behind those numbers are people: hard-working Americans or the unemployed or those who are just getting by.

There is an urgent need to resolve the debt ceiling issue and it is beyond irresponsible not to raise the debt limit. We all agree that we have to responsibly reduce the deficit, but not on the backs of the most vulnerable. My job in Congress is to be a voice for the voiceless and I will fight to help these Americans by opposing the Republican budget.

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