Rep. Pitts on Newly Released Poverty Statistics
 
Washington– Today, the U.S. Census Bureau released new statistics showing a striking rise in the number of Americans living in poverty. The poverty rate leaped to 14.3 percent, the highest rate since 1994. This represents 43.6 million Americans with incomes insufficient to meet the basic necessities of life.
 
Rep. Pitts’ statement follows:

“This underscores that this recession is not just about banks, bureaucrats, and statistics.  I’ve seen the effects of increased poverty first-hand as I’ve visited food banks throughout the district. Real people are hurting and there should be no margin for error in our efforts to help people, revive the economy, and create jobs. 

“Washington’s response to the recession has so far been ideological, partisan, and ineffective.  Good ideas have been ignored while Congress has been distracted by other fights that should have waited.  This is the number-one reason Americans are so angry right now.”

The full report is available at: http://www.census.gov/prod/2010pubs/p60-238.pdf
 
###