On the recordSeptember 19, 2013
It's disheartening to stand here today, once again, to defend the meager nutritional assistance program we provide to families in America. The $40 billion in SNAP cuts put forward by the Republican majority is shameful. It's cruel and unusual punishment to Americans whose soft voices are barely ever heard in the Halls of Congress. Three-quarters of SNAP benefits go to families with children, and every week across this Nation there are parents who have to tell their kids, Nope, there's nothing left to eat in our house tonight. I only wish my colleagues behind these despicable cuts had to deliver that message. I only wish that they had to say, I'm sorry, you've got to go to bed hungry. Unfortunately, my colleagues have it far too easy. They'll never know what it's like to be hungry. Their kids will never go to bed hungry. They can bring this heartless legislation to a vote without ever having to explain themselves to the families that they're hurting. Please don't let them get away with it. ____________________
