On the recordFebruary 1, 2012
I thought I made it clear, and I think Chairman Davis did also, earlier, that there are provisions to allow for exceptions as long as the facility serves food. We're talking about stores that purely sell liquor. So I think the gentlelady's concerns are addressed with the bill as written. Furthermore, I would just say that on this side of the aisle, we care very deeply about this program. There's broad agreement it's a valuable program. It's worked. If you care about children and you care about needy families in this country, then you should care about ensuring the integrity of the program and making sure that the dollars that taxpayers put forth for these needy families, these needy children, actually go to those families and not buying liquor and patronizing strip clubs and going to casinos. That's what this bill intends to address. That's what it does address. It creates the proper flexibilities for the concern that the gentlelady has and others on the other side of the aisle have about access. If food is sold, access will not be denied. I reserve the balance of my time.
