One Chart on Federal "Anti-Poverty" Programs Says It All

By Angela Rachidi

This graphic was created by staff from the House Ways and Means Committee to represent the 80+ federal benefit programs and services for low-income people in the United States.

House Ways and Means Human Resources Subcommittee, November 3, 2015.

It was unveiled at a hearing yesterday on better coordinating welfare programs for families in need before the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Resources.

From Chairman Charles Boustany (R-LA):

What it shows is, in short, a mess. This system may have started out with good intentions, but it has become a confusing maze of programs that are overlapping, duplicative, poorly coordinated, and difficult to administer. I defy anyone to say this is the best way to address the human tragedy so many of our fellow citizens experience.

It is no wonder that federal spending for these programs totaled $744 billion in FY2013, based on a 2015 report by the Congressional Research Service. That’s approximately $6,500 for every American household. The House Ways and Means Committee seems interested in “efforts to modernize and streamline or, at the very least, better coordinate these programs to help more people achieve opportunity and upward mobility.” That seems like a good start.

Read more at AEI.org.