One in four children in America are now living in poverty. According to research from the University of New Hampshire based on the latest census data – there are 15.7 million poor children in the nation – that’s 2.6 million more children than in 2007 – prior to the Bush recession. Researchers also noted the consequences of child poverty saying, “Children who are poor before age 6 have been shown to experience educational deficits, and health problems, with effects that span the life course." The red state of Mississippi has the highest rate of child poverty in the country – at nearly one in three.

This is a national tragedy – and one that was conveniently left out of the Republican debate last night – as not one person on that stage has an answer to address poverty in America.