While Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives announced the opening of an impeachment inquiry against President Biden on Sept. 12, the Census Bureau reported that the child poverty rate in our country more than doubled last year – after reaching an all-time low in 2021.
The primary reason for this troubling upsurge, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, is that the expanded child tax credit expired. This federal benefit had greatly helped families pay monthly expenses and buy groceries. Added to this was an inflation-based drop in median household income.
The congressional Republicans’ impeachment drive is being urged on by its so-called Freedom Caucus. A far more constructive use of these representatives’ influence would be an effort to ensure that the children of this country could have freedom from want and hunger. That, however, requires the hard slog of governing instead of the flashy task of making soundbites. It also involves what seems impossible for this group: caring about the needs of others.
Ellen Murphy
Portland
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