Paul Ryan: Anti-Poverty Programs Complicate System

Federal anti-poverty programs often conflict with each other and don't help the people who need them to get out of poverty, Rep. Paul Ryan said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Ryan has proposed consolidating 11 federal anti-poverty programs, including food stamps, public housing assistance, childcare aid, low-income energy assistance and cash welfare.

Ryan said the government shouldn't focus on how much money is being spent on the programs as a gauge of success, but on seeing whether people are actually being taken out of poverty. He said freedom should be allowed to customize benefits to people based on their needs.

"The federal government’s approach has ended up maintaining poverty, managing poverty," Ryan said. "In many ways, it has disincentivized people from going to work."

Related Stories:

• Democratic Strategist: Paul Ryan Really Wants to Help Poor
• Paul Ryan: Clinton Presidency Would Have Fixed Fiscal Problems