Faith Policy Poll: U.S. Congress Receives 14% Poverty Approval Rating

PRINCETON, N.J., June 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Census Bureau utilizing the 2011 Supplemental Poverty Measure reported that 49.7 million Americans or 16% of the population (28% Hispanic, 26% Black, 17% Asian, and 14% White) now live below the poverty line, annual income of $22,811 for a family of four as a result of the unemployment rate, house devaluations, and unprecedented foreclosures.

The Faith and Public Policy Institute Inc. (www.FaithPolicyInstitute.org) launches national poll to ask the question, "Is Congress addressing poverty in America?" Only 14% of the American people approve of how the U.S. Congress is addressing poverty in America. The following are some of the responses:

1. Azo M. of California states, "If Congress addressed anything, we wouldn't be in the predicament we're in."
2. Steven P. of New York states, "The poor stay poor and the rich get richer."
3. Mars H. of Connecticut states, "Not at all. They are only interested in pleasing their corporate sponsors."
4. Aloysius C. of Ohio states, "No, they simply Band-Aid the situation hoping that it will get better in the future, apparently on its own."
5. Jack W. of Texas states, "Obviously not."

The president of the Faith and Public Policy Institute, Dr. Jessica Davis, states, "The faith community is the moral voice of America. The moral voice of America is saying, 'Remember the poor.' The author of 'The Other America,' Michael Harrington, stated that the only institution that can eradicate poverty is the federal government. If this is true, the faith community must hold the government accountable. The goal of our Faith Policy Poll is to hold our appointed and elected leaders accountable."

About Faith Policy National Poll
The sample represents 996 adult Americans with a margin error of 2.2%. The Institute conducted this online poll from 5/14/2013 to 5/16/2013. The Faith and Public Policy Institute Inc. and Thumb, Inc. prepared the national poll.

About Faith and Public Policy Institute
The Faith and Public Policy Institute Inc. is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) charitable, religious, and educational nonprofit organization in Princeton, New Jersey. The Faith and Public Policy Institute Inc. is a registered lobbying organization with the United States Congress. The mission of the Faith and Public Policy Institute is to educate the faith community on domestic and foreign policy.

Inquiries should be sent to [email protected], www.faithpolicyinstitute.org, or call (609) 955-3547. 

SOURCE The Faith and Public Policy Institute Inc.