The bathtub was at risk of falling through the cracked ceiling into the kitchen. Tasting something metallic, he touched his lip, and in the glow of his phone screen he could see that his finger was stained with blood. Tens of millions of Americans were kept out of poverty and economic insecurity as a result; in another world, a younger Emmanuel could have been one of them. The stark relief that pandemic programs brought to families is proof that poverty is not an intractable problem when there is sufficient political will. We should recommit to finishing the job and passing an agenda that will reduce child poverty and make life more affordable.

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Persons: Emmanuel Coreano, Emmanuel, “, ” Emmanuel, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Amartya Sen, Bernie Sanders, ​ Organizations: El Centro de Estudiantes, New, Senate Locations: Puerto Rican, Kensington