Ryan pushes poverty program overhaul, questioned on Trump

House Speaker Paul Ryan today proposed an overhaul of the nation's poverty programs, the first of several policy plans intended to unite the fractured Republican Party, but his agenda was immediately overshadowed by questions about Donald Trump.
The proposal, unveiled at the House of Help City of Hope, an alcohol and drug treatment program in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, would make changes to welfare, food and housing aid, among other programs, to increase work requirements, make the aid more efficient and allow states to make more decisions about how it is distributed.
As Ryan announced the plan with participants in the program by his side, he faced repeated questions about the presumptive Republican nominee's latest controversial comments.

In response, Ryan said Trump made the "textbook definition of a racist comment" in saying an American-born judge isn't qualified to preside over a case because of his Mexican heritage.
Ryan stood by his endorsement of Trump, saying he would be a better president to enact his agenda than Democrat Hillary Clinton.
Trump has said US District Court Judge Gonzalo Curiel can't be impartial in lawsuits against Trump University because his parents were born in Mexico and Trump wants to build a wall along the border. Trump's legal team has not sought a recusal of the jurist.

Ryan endorsed Trump last week after a lengthy delay, making clear that his support is largely due to the fact that a Republican president could help him enact his longtime policy goals.

Overhauling the nation's welfare and nutrition programs has long been a priority for Ryan, who also plans to release a national security plan on Thursday.
Policy plans on regulations, the Constitution, health care and taxes will roll out in the coming weeks.
The Wisconsin Republican said he has discussed his agenda with Trump, who has similarly argued that Democrats have failed the poor.