Ernst Helps Families Achieve Financial Independence

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is supporting pathways to new opportunities and long-term success for vulnerable American families by giving states the flexibility to streamline federal benefit programs.

Ernst is cosponsoring the Upward Mobility Act, led by Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio), to consolidate multiple federal anti-poverty programs into a single funding stream and help families achieve upward mobility by eliminating "benefits cliffs" that discourage work and advancement.

"Despite over 80 programs and billions of taxpayer dollars spent, all too often, the federal government fails to actually address the barriers faced by folks living in poverty," said Senator Ernst. "Worse yet, these programs often take a cumbersome 'one-size-fits-all' approach that can disincentivize the very self-sufficiency they seek to create. The Upward Mobility Act would simplify this broken system and ensure bureaucratic red tape doesn't stand between hardworking American families and financial independence."

Background:

In 2017, Ernst led the EMPOWERS Act to gives states the flexibility to modernize benefits programs and create pilot projects to help lift families out of poverty.

###

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Tweet