"Congress has been so focused on trying to demonize the program and finding some fault with the program."
"The fact of the matter is we are not meeting the need because the government, in my opinion, is not adequately investing and responding to the real need that is out there."
"the whole concept of categorical eligibility was introduced basically to do what I think everybody here wants, to make these programs more user friendly and more effective and efficient."
"Does anyone here believe that the current SNAP benefit is adequate for a family to be able to pay for the groceries they need for an entire month?"
"The people that I meet with regularly and the people who I see at food banks are not there because they want to be at food banks, it is because they have run out of money."
"I am also for a plan to end hunger. We don't really have a plan in this country to end hunger."
"I want us to first fund it adequately and I want us to make it work as best as possible."
"And anybody who tells you, and I have to say this, I really feel strongly about this, that this benefit is enough ought to live on it."
"The majority of people on this program are kids, are senior citizens, are those who are disabled."
"We ought to make sure that the narrative that we are echoing here reflects the reality."
"During that hearing there was testimony regarding additional Federal nutrition programs, including the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) serving seniors."
"SNAP is something that is working. Time and time again we have heard from witnesses, both Democratic and Republican witnesses, that SNAP is a good program."