Heinrich, Collins Introduce Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act

Statement

Today U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) introduced the bipartisan Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act to increase opportunities for families living in poverty. The bill aligns and links existing systems and funding streams to target both parents and children with support aimed at increasing economic security, educational success, social capital, and the health and wellbeing of whole families.

"While we've seen signs of economic recovery, far too many families in New Mexico and across the nation are still struggling to make ends meet and can't escape multigenerational poverty," said Sen. Heinrich. "I'm proud to partner with my Republican colleague from Maine Senator Susan Collins to introduce this bipartisan bill to give states, local governments, and tribes more flexibility to develop innovative programs that really work to help families find a way out of poverty. Over the last year, I visited programs across New Mexico that are already using the two-generation approach and was able to hear firsthand how providing robust services for parents and their children simultaneously, allowed families to grow together and get on a more prosperous path. By helping families pursue their dreams together, we can make the Land of Enchantment a land of opportunity for everyone."

"More than 50 years after President Johnson declared a "War on Poverty," millions of Americans still struggle to find the resources they need to meet the basic necessities of life. In Maine, the poverty rate stands at 13.4 percent, just slightly below the national rate," said Sen. Collins. "Our bill proposes a new approach to fighting poverty, one that focuses on addressing the needs of children and their parents together -- two-generations -- in order to help break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. It marks an important first step toward reevaluating our approach to poverty-reducing programs and encouraging innovative, more effective uses of taxpayer dollars."

The Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act is the product of a multi-year collaborative effort to balance the interests and input of a broad array of stakeholders, including Ascend at the Aspen Institute, United Way of Santa Fe County, and New Mexico Voices for Children. Senator Heinrich has hosted a series of events across the New Mexico to bring together families, local service providers, and administrators to discuss a two-generation approach to creating economic opportunities and addressing the needs of both vulnerable children and their parents.

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