On the recordSeptember 30, 2015
This September Feeding America's national network of food banks and hunger advocates took part in Hunger Action Month, yet here in Congress, as September comes to an end, I am not sure that Hunger Action Month ever began. Nearly 49 million Americans, including over 15 million children, live in food-insecure households. That is shameful. Hunger touches every community--every community. In my own Florida district in Palm Beach and Broward Counties, about 15 percent of households are food-insecure. That is nearly half a million people who don't know where their next meal will come from. Thankfully, the generosity of our community and the work of groups like Feeding South Florida help keep hungry families fed, but those with the greatest power to end hunger are right here in the United States Congress. As Pope Francis said to this Chamber just last week: The fight against poverty and hunger must be fought constantly and on many fronts. Let's heed his words. This week I will introduce the Food Security Improvement Act of 2015, a bill to ensure SNAP benefits reflect the real costs of feeding a family in need. I invite my colleagues to join me in sponsoring this legislation. Let's mark the end of Hunger Action Month by taking action here in this House. ____________________
