Jim McGovern

I fully supported the initiation of a formal dispute settlement process with India regarding both its domestic rice and wheat subsidy regime at the WTO, and I still do.

We must not overlook the importance of affordability when expanding access.

I think our concern is that the laws of economics always make the people most in need the last in line.

The bipartisan infrastructure law included the largest Federal broadband investment in our nation's history.

I am proud of the steps that we have taken over the last few years to close the digital divide.

Access to high-speed internet is crucial for people to effectively do their jobs, participate in school, and access healthcare.

I believe it is crucial to make sure that we take advantage of the historic levels of funding and ensure that it means connectivity that meets the needs of the future.

Protect and Strengthen SNAP in the 2023 Farm Bill

There is a compassion here.

We are here to help the disabled.

That age is so important, and that is why we Democrats feel strongly in holding this age at this pattern.

We are not against people going out--able-bodied going to work.

Let me just share with you why I oppose moving from the 49 years of age that we have the work requirements.

I believe strongly that we need to make it possible for the millions of students that want to follow in a similar path to mine who--we need to enable them to make those ends meet while pursuing that education.

Supporting food assistance for college students is an investment in opportunity, and in human potential.

Despite the importance of nutrition to student success, and what I would consider increased opportunity, recent surveys estimate that as many as 30 to 40 percent of college students are impacted by food insecurity.

I think we need to encourage opportunity, and I think we need to do that with all of our government programs.

I did need to interject that we felt like that was really where all the fat was, with trying to feed hungry people in this country to the tune of $6 a day.

Any cuts to these lifesaving benefits would disproportionately affect the folks who make up the majority of my district, which is Black and Latino Americans.

Let me be clear, my colleagues and I stand united against efforts to take food away from veterans, children, families, or any vulnerable American in the farm bill, or in any other legislation.

Dr. Rachidi, you note in your testimony SNAP must accomplish its core goal of supporting Americans in their path out of poverty.

That is why I was proud to co-lead Training and Nutrition Stability Act, H.R. 3087, with Committee Members Alma Adams and Mark Molinaro, along with Adriano Espaillat.

As a nation, we owe it to these individuals to identify policies aimed at helping low-income families achieve the type of opportunity that every American deserves.

Clearly, I am going to use up all of my time ranting about this, but the fact is we are here today to talk about making more cuts, to making it more restrictive, to making it more difficult, and I can't say it enough, this is the…

Well, when 170,000 Mainers lost SNAP emergency allotments in March, $17 million a month was drained from our state's economy, and taken away from hungry families.