Columbia, SC—Today, House Speaker Paul Ryan will join U.S. Senator Tim Scott to host a presidential candidates forum on poverty issues. The truth is the Republican Party has refused to act on the issues that would most help poverty-stricken South Carolinians and working families across the country get ahead.
Its amazing that Speaker Ryan, whose budget was so awful he inspired nuns to protest, would have the audacity to lead a forum on poverty issues. Democrats are working to build the middle class and strengthen working families by supporting policies like paid family leave, expanding access to health care and raising the minimum wage. Meanwhile, Republicans continue to support the same failed economic polices that only benefit the very wealthy, while paying lip service to those most in need.” –Jason Perkey, Executive Director, South Carolina Democratic Party
Just take a look at where some of the Republicans speaking today stand on the issues that matter to working families:
Medicaid Expansion
One thing you won’t hear Governor Haley mention today is Medicaid Expansion, despite the fact that it would give over 200,000 low income South Carolinians access to health care. Governor Haley would rather side with the most ideological wing of her party than ensure her constituents are healthy and productive.
Minimum Wage
While the candidates are speaking at a forum on poverty their views on raising the minimum are better suited for a conference for wealthy billionaires and powerful corporations. All of the Republican presidential candidates attending have opposed raising the federal the minimum wage of $7.25 an hour despite voters supporting an increase. A recent PPP poll showed 68% of South Carolina voters, including 50% South Carolina Republicans are in favor of raising the minimum wage to $10.
Paid Family Leave
When Paul Ryan was elected Speaker, he was adamant that the job not impose on his time with family, yet every day working men and women aren’t afforded the same luxury.
Not a single member of the Republican presidential field supports paid family leave:
- Marco Rubio voted against an amendment to allow Americans to earn paid sick time, and has said he doesn’t think mothers of newborns deserve paid leave.
- Jeb Bush has said he opposed federal paid maternity leave legislation.
- Chris Christie has said he opposed paid family leave.
- Ted Cruz voted against an amendment to allow Americans to earn paid sick time and has said on maternity and paternity leave: “I don’t think the federal government should be in the business of mandating them.”
- Carly Fiorina has said that policies on paid family leave “hurts women.”
- John Kasich in Congress voted multiple times against family and medical leave.
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