The Half in Ten campaign advocate for tested policy solutions – at the Federal, State, and even Local level - that will increase opportunity and cut poverty. Full List of Policy Solutions
Congress Enacts and President Signs Bill Adding Domestic Items to War Funding
From the Coalition on Human Needs
Jobless insurance, veterans’ education benefits, protection against Medicaid cutbacks, and disaster relief are top domestic priorities enacted by Congress last week. These items were attached to the bill extending funding for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars that the President signed on June 30.
Read more »
By the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights’ David Schraub
At a June 25 press conference, Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D. Ill., and Sen. Charles Schumer, D. N.Y., announced new legislation that would significantly improve the accessibility of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a key program in America’s fight against poverty. They were joined at the press conference by representatives of Wal-Mart and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), both of which announced their support of the bill.
Read more »
From the Coalition on Human Needs
With 324,000 jobs lost over the past 5 months and the unemployment rate taking the biggest one-month jump in 22 years, the House voted twice in two days on legislation to extend jobless benefits for people who have exhausted state unemployment insurance. On the first try, the speedy move to the floor meant a two-thirds vote was needed for passage. That attempt fell short by 3 votes. Then on June 12 the House went through the procedural steps so that only a simple majority would pass the unemployment insurance (UI) extension. This time, the bill passed 274 to 137. Well exceeding the simple majority needed, the outcome was exactly two-thirds of those present and voting. Since two-thirds will be required to override an anticipated Presidential veto, the vote was heartening to those who recognize the growing urgency of helping the long-term unemployed.
Read more »
From the Center for American Progress
What is the Earned Income Tax Credit?
The Earned Income Tax Credit is a refundable federal income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. When the EITC exceeds the amount of taxes owed, it results in a tax refund to those who claim and qualify for the credit. Congress originally approved the tax credit legislation in 1975 in part to offset the burden of social security taxes and to provide an incentive to work. The Earned Income Tax Credit was responsible for significant declines in poverty and economic gains during the 1990s, but it can still be strengthened to improve its effectiveness.
Read more »
By the Center for American Progress’ David Madland
The unemployment rate jumped in May by half a percent, rising from 5.0 to 5.5 percent, the biggest increase in over 20 years, according to figures released today by the Department of Labor. The last time the unemployment rate increased by this much was February 1986.
Read more »
Speaking before activists and community leaders at North
Philadelphia’s Thankful Baptist Church, Senator John Edwards launched
the Half in Ten campaign by calling on Congress, the presidential
candidates, and all Americans to make the fight against poverty a
priority.
Read more »
