Balance reductions in Federal aid to the poor with success in increasing employment and raising the minimum wage.

Poor families, whether single-parent, two-parent, or extended, depend on Federal benefits for food, housing, and medical care. Often those among the poor who can work cannot find jobs (especially single-parents with children), cannot get enough paid hours to make ends meet, or cannot secure a living wage that covers food, housing, and medical needs. Federal benefits fill some of the gap. If Congress wants to reduce Federal benefits to the poor, then the Federal government should vigorously and creatively encourage job growth so that all who want to work can work at a living wage. That encouragement may include retraining and even affordable child care for our future generations. More jobs, better wages, less benefits. A win for America.