John Plumb

JAMESTOWN – The man who’s running against Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning, NY 23) in the November General Election went on the attack Wednesday against the Corning Republican and the announcement regarding the GOP’s anti-poverty agenda.

Democratic challenger John Plumb (D-Lakewood) said that he agrees the country should always be looking to lift people out of poverty – but also accused Congressman Reed for being responsible for decimating the region’s economy and putting New York families into poverty.

Plumb said that Reed has voted in favor of every single foreign trade deal that’s come before him in Congress, and each deal put local businesses at an unfair disadvantage so they’ve had to shutdown, ship jobs overseas, and leave people without work and families in poverty.

“Whether voting for trade promotion authority to make it easier for the United States to pass foreign trade deals or directly for foreign trade deals with countries such as Panama, South Korea, or Colombia, Tom Reed has been a consistent supporter of foreign trade that costs New York jobs,” the media release stated.

Plumb went on to say the greatest asset are the people of New York, and the best way to help them is by undoing the harm created by foreign trade deals and help businesses compete and create jobs here at home.

Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning)

WASHINGTON – Members of the GOP controlled house of representatives unveiled what they are calling their ‘anti-poverty’ agenda Tuesday in Washington.

Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning, NY 23), provided some basic details of the plan on Monday during his weekly conference call with reporters, saying that the plan would help working families and those struggling in poverty.

Reed said the agenda will focus on three main initiatives, which include assessing the current welfare system to identify its effectiveness in various regions and community of the country, refine the social benefit system so that it no longer incentives people not to work, and improving education programs that help American learn new skills and trades so they can be work-ready.

Reed said the plan is a great start to getting solutions in place that will help create the opportunities for American’s on welfare so they can achieve financial stability and independence.

“We have not been able to move the needle on poverty across America and we need to do better. We need a system for the 21st century,” Reed said. “I’m excited to be part of the leadership team on this anti-poverty agenda coming out of the house. We’re going to do what we can to get these reforms proposed, put out there for debate, and ultimately enacted into law.”

The proposal is a result of a task force established by Speaker Paul Ryan in February.