Hoyer Attends Roundtable Discussion at LifeStyles of Maryland Foundation

LA PLATA, MD – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) attended a roundtable discussion with community members on the impact of sequestration at LifeStyles of Maryland Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides support services to individuals and families in our community. Lifestyles could be negatively affected by the drastic cuts to housing and emergency shelter programs imposed by the sequester.

During his visit, Congressman Hoyer also learned more about the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which allows LifeStyles to provide free tax preparation assistance to working individuals who claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a tax credit that strengthens the financial security of low and middle-income households. VITA could also see a reduction in funding due to sequestration.

“Lifestyles is a lifeline for many vulnerable families in the Fifth District,” stated Congressman Hoyer. “Unfortunately, the automatic, across-the-board spending cuts known as sequestration will make it harder for organizations like Lifestyles to support those in need of assistance in our community. The sequester, which is irrational and not a real solution to deficits, could mean cuts to programs like VITA, which helps low and middle-income households file their tax returns at no cost to them. I will continue to call on Congress to turn off the sequester with a balanced alternative that will put us on a fiscally responsible path without asking the neediest to carry the largest burden of deficit reduction.”

According to a White House report, sequestration could have a harmful impact on many vulnerable families across the country. In Maryland alone, sequestration could mean:

• Primary and secondary education could lose approximately $14.4 million, putting around 200 teacher and aide jobs at risk.
• Approximately 800 fewer children could be enrolled in Head Start and Early Head Start.
• Over 9,000 fewer people could receive job training and placement services needed to find employment.
• Around 770 fewer low-income students could receive aid to help them finance the cost of college and around 440 fewer students could get work-study jobs that help them pay for college.
• Up to 400 disadvantaged and vulnerable children could lose access to child care.
• Around 2,050 fewer children could receive vaccines for diseases such as measles, mumps, whooping cough, and the flu.
• Cuts to the STOP Violence Against Women Program could result in up to 500 fewer victims of domestic violence receiving services.

Our state could lose approximately $877,000 in funds that provide meals for seniors.