U.S. Representative Danny K. Davis Opposes Republican Effort to Discriminate against Elderly, Poor, and Disabled to Finance Early Childhood Home Visiting

Washington, D.C.- June 8, 2017, Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL) released the following statement after House Republicans introduced a bill to finance continuation of the early childhood home visiting program by cutting off basic income support for elderly and disabled individuals.

Congressman Davis said, "I strongly oppose the Republican effort to pay for critical home visiting services that strengthen vulnerable children and families by stripping certain low-income seniors and those with severe disabilities of basic income they need to survive. This approach conditions help to vulnerable babies on harming vulnerable seniors and persons with disabilities. The Republicans falsely claim that they are targeting “fugitive felons” running from the law. Those affected are neither fugitives nor felons; such individuals are already prohibited from receiving benefits under current law. In reality, the new Republican bill would affect individuals with outstanding arrest warrants whom law enforcement has chosen not to pursue - even after being informed of these individuals’ whereabouts – because they are typically outdated warrants for failures to pay fines or court fees, for an alleged violation of probation, or for other less-serious offenses. I vigorously oppose this policy that discriminates based on age, race/ethnicity, ability, and income, and which further criminalizes poverty."

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Congressman Davis serves as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Human Resources within the House Committee on Ways and Means Committee with jurisdiction over Federal programs for home visiting, Supplemental Security Income, child welfare, unemployment, temporary assistance for needy families, child support, and child care.