Dick Lugar: “I am pleased that in a few moments the Senate will vote on the Durbin amendment that restores benefits to legal…”

“I am pleased that in a few moments the Senate will vote on the Durbin amendment that restores benefits to legal immigrants in our country. We had a good debate last evening which illuminated the fact that there are as many as 500,000 Americans who are able to meet the criteria of having lived in this country 5 years or having had a work experience for 4 years who--and most importantly their children--due to confusion of the regulations frequently have not had the Food Stamp Program and the proper nutrition that might come from that. But we are going to change that. It is a strong bipartisan force. The President of the United States has spoken forcefully on these issues and has commended the activity that is encapsulated so well in the amendment of the distinguished Senator from Illinois. I am pleased to join him in hoping that we will have if not, a unanimous vote, a nearly unanimous vote. It is both a humanitarian cause and a fairness cause and a considerable extension of the nutrition safety net for all Americans. This seems to me to be a very important objective of this farm bill because we are the Senate Committee of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and we have taken the nutrition title very seriously. The Senator from Illinois has found ways that we can enhance that title very substantially. I commend that effort and ask all Senators to vote in favor of this amendment.”