CHESTER SPRINGS, Pennsylvania — Now, more than ever, legislation is a critical tool in the fight against poverty. The burden falls on lawmakers to create meaningful change for those in need, whether that be domestically or internationally. Luckily, they are working to achieve just that. Here are three pending anti-poverty bills in Congress.

H. Res. 248

In early 2025, Representatives Gabe Amo (D-RI-1) and Young Kim (R-CA-40) reintroduced this resolution that emphasizes the importance of distributed ledger technologies (DLT). DLT is a method of digitally recording transactions and data across multiple parties in a secure and transparent manner. The resolution highlights several ways in which DLT could contribute to poverty reduction:

DLT can ensure the integrity of digital information, which is “critical for the effective delivery of democratic governance and services to citizens.” Promoting democracy and legitimacy in underserved countries is a foundational step in stabilizing their weak sovereignty and reducing corruption, which is essential for eliminating poverty.

In areas such as land rights, citizen representation and product tracking, DLT has been able to facilitate fair and ethical practices, helping to foster equality and prosperity across diverse regions

The focused utilization of DLT can help to “address global challenges, contribute to sustainability, and ensure more inclusive access to services without compromising privacy or stifling technological innovation.”

Overall, the resolution positions DLT as a valuable tool for promoting democracy, equity and prosperity worldwide. It calls on the United States to support and invest in DLT-based solutions as part of broader efforts to eliminate global poverty.

H. R. 2411

On March 27, 2025, Representative André Carson (D-IN-7) and 58 cosponsors introduced the “UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2025.” This pending anti-poverty bill asserts that supporting innocent civilians in Gaza is in the national interest of the United States and that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is critical in addressing urgent humanitarian needs. Hence, it proposes several urgent steps that must be taken to ensure the protection of Palestinian citizens:

• This bill urges the Israeli government to support the UNRWA’s efforts to enforce policies of neutrality and accountability.
• The legislation also asks the President to restore funding to the UNRWA for 2025 and beyond, contingent on their successful implementation of the Independent Review Group’s recommendations.
• Finally, it requests that the United States and Israel assist UNRWA in its efforts.

UNRWA is essential for resolving humanitarian crises and reducing poverty around the world, but it will need the support of the United States to succeed. This pending anti-poverty bill will ensure that happens.

H. R. 2635

On April 3, 2025, Representative Young Kim (R-CA-40) introduced the “Uyghur Policy Act of 2025.”  The Uyghurs are a small ethnic minority who reside in Asia, and have faced extreme poverty, human rights abuses, and cultural appropriation. This bill seeks to support their autonomy and promote prosperity. Here are some of the specific demands:

• China must acknowledge the identity of the Uyghurs and immediately stop all government crackdowns/imprisonments. Furthermore, they must release all prisoners who were detained due to their ethnic/cultural identity;
• China must allow human rights investigations into the Uyghurs’ situation;
• Surrounding countries, especially democracies, should look to provide support to the Uyghurs and condemn the circumstances they were forced to live under;
• The US Secretary of State must look to inform the general public about these human rights abuses, promote further policy/activism and lead efforts to free their prisoners;

The Uyghurs have been oppressed for years, living in poverty and constant fear of imprisonment. This bill looks to free them from these shackles and help them to lead better lives.

Poverty is a widespread, multifaceted issue. However, through policy and legislative reform, governments around the world can slowly work to eradicate it. These three pending anti-poverty bills in Congress are a step in the right direction, and the goal is for other lawmakers to follow suit.

– Josh Weinstein

Josh is based in Chester Springs, PA, USA and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr