"I commend Chairman Conaway and Ranking Member Peterson in their recent communication to the House Budget Committee, requesting that the Committee consider the current economic conditions within rural ..."
"Too much rhetoric has been focused on criticizing the SNAP program and impugning the character of SNAP recipients."
"I think that is a very ill-advised policy approach, to withdraw more food assistance from this desperately poor group."
"Oftentimes they are characterized as people who just don't want to work, or they are lazy, or they are trying to take advantage of the system, when in my experience, from what I have been able to tell..."
"this negative rhetoric has real consequences, and it really needs to stop."
"I want to thank all of your for your testimony, and I appreciate your answer on ways to incentivize people to make healthier choices."
"The challenge is to make sure the resources are there so that they can be widespread."
"I would just, again, I end as I began, to caution this Committee and this Congress from doing anything that would make it more difficult for this population."
"Are there any regulations that we can undo to make it easier for farmers, especially beginning farmers, to have access to credit?"
"I tend to agree. Americans are big-hearted folks who love seeing the U.S. flag on donated rice and other U.S. commodities."
"There should be no shame in using taxpayer dollars to buy American food from American farmers to send overseas."
"$990 million in emergency famine relief, including $300 million for Food for Peace in war-torn South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and Nigeria, was recently included in the FY17 omnibus bill."