On the recordMay 21, 2013
I rise in strong opposition to this amendment. This goes way beyond what we have done in the committee, which is to focus on waste, fraud, and abuse and make sure there is integrity in the program, to make sure supplemental nutrition assistance goes to families who have been working hard all their lives, paying taxes, who fall on hard times and need some temporary help. This, in fact, would have a nine times higher cut than what we reported out of the committee on a bipartisan vote. It would undercut what we are trying to do in employment and training, which is so critical. We all want people to have the opportunity to get back to work. We are seeing now, in the area of nutrition, the costs are now going down the way they should be, which is people are getting back to work and no longer needing the help. That is the way we should reduce it, in addition to tackling waste, fraud, and abuse, as we do in this bill. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote no on this amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the Roberts amendment.
