WASHINGTON — On the presidential campaign trail, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker often talks about what he calls economic justice.

He has introduced legislation to provide a $2,000 savings account to every child born in the U.S., continuing payments every year for those from low-income families. He has proposed granting tax credits to help poorer households afford their rent.

Booker, D-N.J. teamed up with House Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C., on Wednesday to introduce legislation designed to better target poor neighborhoods and provide help.

“While genius is spread equally across zip codes, opportunity is not,” Booker said. “This bill more strategically targets federal resources to where they are needed most, ensuring that families and communities long left behind are given a fair shot. In doing so, we can move to a smarter, more responsive government.”

The bill would add more programs to the current formula that requiring at least 10 percent of federal funds go to counties with a poverty level of at least 20 percent over the past 30 years.

The measure also would direct funding from certain federal programs to communities with poverty rates currently above 20 percent, even if they haven’t been at that level for the past three decades.

Booker hasn’t missed a chance to talk about his efforts to address poverty. He discussed his “baby bonds” program during a CNN town hall meeting last month. He said that the lowest-income residents would have $50,00 in their accounts by age 18, calling it "real wealth, a stake in our economy, to invest in going to school or education, starting a business, buying a home.”

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

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