Political Quotes

“I rise in opposition to the amendment. I want to step back and look at the reality of SNAP and the food assistance program today. The farm bill has two kinds of safety nets. It is a safety net for farmers and a safety net for families. The good news is, because the economy is doing better, we are going to save over $80 billion in the next 10 years on the food and family side because the economy is getting better and people don't need temporary help and they are going back to work. The challenge for us is that in this bill, we have a lot of farmers who need a safety net because we have seen prices drop by 50 percent and weather disasters and other things that have been very challenging for them. So, No. 1, I think this is an amendment in search of a problem. No. 2, we already have work requirements--let's make that very, very clear. Despite things that have been said before, we already have work requirements in the SNAP program. Now, 75 percent of those who get food help are senior citizens, people with disabilities, and children and their parents--75 percent. Of the 25 percent--they are required to work at least 20 hours a week, and if they do not, then the most they can receive is up to 3 months' worth of food help in a 3-year period. The amendment essentially would limit and change that for people.…”