Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, millions of families continue to struggle to put dinner on their table every night, and that is why I will speak about the American safety net known as SNAP, which is providing food for people who are insecure, 41 million Americans. Fresno and Tulare Counties that I represent are among the top agricultural-producing counties in the country. It is a real dichotomy because we produce so much aplenty, over 300 commodities, 20 percent of America's milk production, almost half of the fruits and vegetables, 75 percent of the almonds in the world, and 50 percent of the pistachios. The list goes on and on. However, in my district I have a significant amount of food insecurity. Mr. Speaker, 42 million Americans are food insecure, or 12.5 percent of our Nation's population rely throughout the year on SNAP, this food supplement. In my district, out of 52 congressional districts in California, 28 percent rely on SNAP. They are food insecure, whether it be young or old or people with disabilities or working people. A lot of them are seasonal workers in our fields that live on $20,000 a year or maybe a little bit more but have a family of four or five that they have to feed every night. When we think about the farm bill and the reauthorization, it is not only the safety net to American farmers, ranchers, dairymen and -women, but it is also the safety net to 42 million Americans who are food insecure.…”