Flores Supports House Proposal to Combat Poverty, Empower Individuals

Statement

Republican Study Committee Chairman (RSC) Bill Flores (R-Texas) released the following statement on the policy initiative released today by Speaker Paul Ryan's Task Force on Poverty, Opportunity and Upward Mobility:

"The new House agenda reflects a fresh approach to tackle our nation's most difficult and enduring problems. Last month, the Republican Study Committee offered substantial policy input to each of Speaker Ryan's six task forces charged with charting a new course for House Republicans. Our Empowerment Initiative gathered the best, proven conservative ideas to strengthen our safety net programs and restore hope to Americans struggling to escape poverty. Many of those ideas were incorporated in the House's new initiative on Poverty, Opportunity and Upward Mobility. In particular, we know that we can improve more lives by implementing work requirements, incentivizing strong families, allowing portability in housing assistance and combating fraud and unaccountability so programs better serve those who need them. The next step is turning these proposals into concrete pieces of legislation.

"Success is not measured by the number of people presently enrolled in welfare programs, but by the number of people who are able to permanently leave those programs because they have achieved a better life. I wholeheartedly commend Speaker Ryan and the Poverty, Opportunity and Upward Mobility Task Force members, many of whom also belong to the Republican Study Committee, for their open communication and hard work on this important issue."

Background
Last month, the Republican Study Committee released its proposal "Strengthening Our Safety Net Programs by Empowering People." The proposal, submitted to the Speaker's corresponding task force, included key recommendations, such as:
Implementing Work Requirements
Eliminating Marriage Penalties
Reforming the Earned Income Tax Credit
Streamlining Federal Housing Assistance

The RSC's additional policy submissions include:
Strengthening National Security. Submitted to the House Republican National Security Task Force.
Creating an Environment for Jobs and Economic Growth. Submitted to the House Republican Reducing Regulatory Burdens Task Force.
Fixing the Tax Code. Submitted to the House Republican Tax Reform Task Force.
Patient-Centered Health Care Reform. Submitted to the House Republican Health Care Reform Task Force.
Limiting Government and Reclaiming the Constitution. Submitted to the House Republican Constitutional Authority Task Force.

Source