Bonnie Watson Coleman
09/16/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/16/2025 17:28
Rep. Watson Coleman Convenes House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Poverty
September 16, 2025
Rep. Watson Coleman Convenes House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Poverty
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Poverty, convened the first meeting of task force members to discuss policy solutions to rising poverty throughout the United States.
Rep. Watson Coleman was joined by Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Pete Aguilar; Rep. Sara Jacobs; Rep. Rashida Tlaib; Rep. Maxine Dexter; Rep. Madeleine Dean; Rep. LaMonica McIver; Rep. Gwen Moore; and Rep. Bobby Scott.
"Today, more than 37 million people in the United States live in poverty," said Rep. Watson Coleman. "This is not for a lack of resources. The United States is the wealthiest country in the world. This is a policy choice. We have an obligation as Members of Congress to pursue policy solutions that lift Americans out of poverty, and establish a floor beneath which no person, no family, no child can fall."
Targeted policies like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, food assistance, and other programs have shown progress in reducing poverty in America. The expanded Child Tax Credit of 2021, for example, cut child poverty nearly in half before the program was allowed to expire. After the termination of the program, child poverty increased again.
Today's meeting focused on several different policy proposals to combat poverty in the United States, including expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit; investing in early childhood education and adult job training; increasing the minimum wage; protecting collective bargaining rights; and promoting equitable access to poverty-reduction programs.
The House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Poverty was first established in 2013 with a mission to raise awareness among Members of Congress and the American public on poverty throughout the country, and consider various policy solutions.
If you want to learn more about the House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Poverty, please contact the Office of Rep. Watson Coleman.
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