Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.) proposed a new strategy of fighting the War on Poverty that began 50 years ago in an address on Wednesday.
Rubio explained that the War on Poverty has failed to accomplish meaningful change for the nations poor and should be addressed on the state level.
"We must focus on policies that help our economy create those jobs and that help people overcome the obstacles between them and better paying work," said Rubio. "The War on Poverty accomplished neither of these two things."
A problem across the country as diverse as poverty cannot be approached by a one-size-fits-all approach, but rather should be handed over to the states, explained Rubio.
"If states were given the flexibility, they would design and pursue innovative and effective ways to help those trapped in poverty," said Rubio. "As we’ve seen, they could put in place programs that give those currently stuck in low-wage jobs access to a job training system."
"Our current government programs offer, at best, only a partial solution. They help people deal with poverty, but they do not help them escape it."
Rubio argued that although proposed Democratic solutions such as a minimum wage hike may poll well, they will not have a tangible impact on the problem facing over 40 million people stuck in poverty.
"Our current president and his liberal allies propose that we address this by spending more on these failed programs and increasing the minimum wage to $10.10," said Rubio. "Raising the minimum wage may poll well, but having a job that pays $10 an hour is not the American Dream."