Children in poverty: A committee prepares for an informed debate

By gathering and disseminating information, members of the Committee on Ways and Means, and committee staff under their supervision, have played an important role in informing the debate on poverty issues during the 1980s. In the face of President Reagan's 1981 budget program, which reduced spending in the major antipoverty programs, committee members targeted substantial resources to an ongoing, albeit ad hoc, education process. The process has not only provided evidence of the adverse impact of the 1981 reductions on the poor, but has also made new contributions to the understanding of poverty. Although many other factors have contributed to outcomes in poverty policy during the 1980s, it is clear that this education process played an important role in the successes achieved thus far; partial reversal of the 1981 reductions has been achieved, tax changes have been implemented which help low-income families, and a welfare reform bill has been enacted.