U.S. Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY) highlighted proposals to help combat poverty on Wednesday during a listening tour held in Waverly, N.Y., with local officials and community advocates.
Reed hosted the listening tour with Lori Beth Cole, a representative of the Red Door Thrift Store and Community Center. Waverly Mayor Dan Leary and New York Assemblyman Christopher Friend also participated in the listening tour.
“We care about those struggling in poverty, knowing many of those challenges firsthand, as the youngest of 12 kids, raised by a single mother after my father passed when I was two years old,” Reed said. “It’s only right that we make every effort to ensure every American has the best opportunity to succeed and break the cycle of poverty.”
Reed has been a supporter of the “A Better Way” policy agenda unveiled by House Republicans. The policy agenda supports anti-poverty measures that reward work and create a “hand up” for those in need.
“We stand with the American work ethic and realize the dignity that comes with an honest day’s work,” Reed said. “That’s why we need to change our welfare programs to encourage rejoining the workforce, and provide the bridges that can help make that a reality for so many. We are confident that we can come together to strengthen our social nets and help every American achieve more.”
The listening tour also included visits to various Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) projects throughout Waverly that emphasize affordable housing initiatives and economic development projects that take steps to eliminate community blight and threats to public health and safety.