The Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare today adopted an amendment to the Economic Opportunity Act which will provide anti-poverty assistance to the Jewish poor and elderly who presently do not receive the full benefits of federal anti-poverty programs to which they are entitled. The amendment was sponsored by Sen. Harrison A. Williams (D.N.J.), chairman of the committee, and Sen. Jacob K. Javits (R.N.Y.). its ranking Republican member.
The measure authorizes the appropriation of $50 million annually to serve groups of low income individuals who have not been effectively served by other anti-poverty programs. It also provides for assistance to be extended to all eligible groups on an equitable basis without discrimination because of race, religion or ethnic origin. The amendment is expected to reach the Senate floor within the next few weeks.
Williams and Javits said in a statement after the committee vote that the amendment “will be most beneficial to the Jewish poor, especially the elderly who comprise such a large proportion of the Jewish low income groups and who have not had the full assistance they had reason to hope for under federal anti-poverty programs.” The Senators said the measure “closes gaps in the law which have for good reason been of urgent concern to the Jewish community.” Currently, anti-poverty funds are available only to federally designated anti-poverty areas.
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