U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern End Hunger Now Speech: GOP Holds Hearing on Poverty -- Without the Poor

Washington, DC, May 2, 2014
"We need to hear from those who struggle with poverty, not just the think tank gurus. We need to hear what is working and what is not working on the ground in our communities," - U.S. Rep. McGovern

May 1, 2014

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Chairman Paul Ryan held a hearing on poverty – a timely and necessary conversation.

But the problem is that not one single person living in poverty was a witness at that hearing. And that’s really a shame.

There are plenty of men and women like Bobby or Tiana who are witnesses to hunger who should be invited here to describe what it’s like to be hungry or cold because there isn’t enough money to heat a house or buy enough food to eat.

They could describe for Mr. Ryan how difficult it is to stretch a SNAP allotment for the entire month and most importantly, how hard it is to make ends meet with a job that pays in inadequate wage.

We need to hear from those who struggle with poverty, not just the think tank gurus. We need to hear what is working and what is not working on the ground in our communities.

Chairman Ryan’s hearing missed the mark and when it comes to issues involving poverty and hunger, Mr. Speaker. This majority that runs this House, doesn’t have a clue. I urge us to listen to people who struggle in poverty. Perhaps if we did, we wouldn’t be so cruel to poor people.

I yield back.