THE WHITE HOUSE AT WORK



Thursday, September 30, 1999

PRESIDENT CLINTON:
ANNOUNCING PROGRESS ON INCOME AND POVERTY

"It is clear, our economy is working for the American people and they want it to continue."

President Bill Clinton
Thursday, September 30, 1999

Today, at the White House, President Clinton announced the findings of the Census Bureau's annual reports on income and poverty, which show strong gains in income and substantial reductions in poverty levels The President also discussed his signing of a continuing resolution to keep the government operational, and reiterated his call to Congress to submit a budget that saves Social Security and Medicare, pays down the debt, and invests in education and other programs important to Americans.

Census Report on Income Shows Strong, Broadly Based Gains. According to the Census Bureau's Annual Report on Income in the U.S., 1998 was the fourth straight year of growth in real median household income. The report shows:

Large Reductions in Poverty. The annual report on poverty by the Census Bureau shows that, as income rose, poverty levels dropped significantly. The report finds:

Calling on Congress to Build on Our Economic Prosperity. Today, the last day of the current fiscal year, President Clinton signed a continuing resolution which will keep the federal government operational for the next three weeks in the absence of an acceptable budget plan from Congress. Recognizing the significance of the Census Reports' findings, President Clinton urged Congress to build on our economic prosperity and use the next three weeks to submit a budget that the American people deserve - one that will pay down the nation's debt, strengthen Social Security and Medicare, and make important investments in key programs like education.



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