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WASHINGTON, DC -- Despite a 3.2 percent growth rate in U.S. gross domestic product in 2005, the number of Americans who lived in poverty last year – 37 million – remained unchanged over the previous year, according to data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. Since 2001, the number of Americans living in poverty has grown by 5.4 million.
The Census Bureau data also show that the U.S. median household income of $46,326 – the point at which half of the households in the U.S. earn more and half earn less – is still nearly $1,300 less than it was in 2001, despite rising about $500 between 2004 and 2005. Finally, the data showed that the number of Americans lacking health insurance coverage grew by 1.3 million. Since 2001, the number of Americans lacking health insurance has grown by 6.8 million.
Representative George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, said today that the Census Bureau data once again show why America needs to go in a new direction – one that helps poor families to join the middle class and that enables middle class families to receive their fair share of the country’s economic growth.
“Far too many American families who work hard and play by the rules still wind up living in poverty. Nearly one in five American children live in poverty. Nearly one in four African Americans live in poverty, while more than one in five Hispanic Americans do. Moreover, middle class American families have lost ground over the last five years, faced with the rising costs of housing, gas, food, healthcare, and education. At a time when the economy is growing and corporate profits are surging, these facts are an absolute disgrace.
“The federal government can play a significant role in creating a fair economy that is full of opportunities for all Americans. Unfortunately, Republican leaders in Washington don’t see it that way. They haven’t raised the minimum wage, which is just $5.15 per hour, in 10 years. Raising the minimum wage would lift millions of Americans out of poverty. They have reduced investments in education and they have cut job training programs. They have done nothing to promote affordable healthcare or bring the down costs of prescription drugs. All they have done is give tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans. And the result – growing inequality – is as predictable as it is unacceptable.
“One year ago today, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. If those storm clouds had a silver lining, it was the hope that Katrina would reawaken America to the poverty that exists in communities nationwide. Yet one year later, Republican leaders have continued to stubbornly push an agenda that does nothing to alleviate poverty, help the middle class, or make health care more accessible and affordable. It is time for a new direction for America, where Americans who work hard and play by the rules are fairly rewarded for it.”
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