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House Dems: GOP budget does nothing to address poverty

by Sarah Ferris - 04/13/16 2:00 PM ET

House Democrats are unleashing a new line of attack against the House GOP’s budget — its failure to address poverty.

Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee, will release an 11-page report on Wednesday condemning the GOP budget as an across-the-board cut for programs from Medicaid to college assistance aid.

{mosads}“It slashes the social safety net, cuts down ladders of opportunity, and will mean significantly increased hardship for millions of struggling Americans,” the committee writes in the report, shared first with The Hill.

The report argues that GOP leaders have “professed an interest in overhauling the nation’s anti-poverty safety net,” but have proposed billions in cuts to key programs.

It’s a preview of an argument that could be key to Democrats in the election year, with both Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton advocating for social programs.

Van Hollen is also in a tight Senate primary battle against Rep Donna Edwards (D-Md.), who has made poverty issues like the minimum wage a key part of her campaign.

Van Hollen will join Edwards, along with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), in a hearing on Thursday by the party’s Steering and Policy Committee.

Democrats cite popular social service programs like housing assistance, job training and federal college aid. They also highlight items that are regularly on the GOP chopping block like under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and refundable tax credits for low-income workers and child care.

It’s a direct dig at House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), who recently keynoted an anti-poverty summit in Washington, calling the issue a “high priority.”

It’s also a blow to House Budget Committee Chairman Tom Price (R-Ga.), whose committee has spent three years on hearings and briefings on the issue. Price said earlier this year that his committee could focus on anti-poverty legislation as part of a year-end reconciliation package.

“At the very least, any proposal to change federal anti-poverty programs should not reduce the incomes of the poor and near-poor,” the report writes.

The House GOP budget proposal will not become law under President Obama. It may also not receive a vote on the House floor, as a bloc of conservatives continues to oppose the document’s topline spending levels.

Tags Bernie Sanders GOP budget Hillary Clinton Paul Ryan