Eva M. Clayton: “there is a provision in H.R. 4, the Personal Responsibility Act of 1995, that is irresponsible. As written, that…”

“there is a provision in H.R. 4, the Personal Responsibility Act of 1995, that is irresponsible. As written, that provision would convert Federal food assistance programs into block grants. Block grant funds are free funds to State and local governments. They may not be used as intended. This irresponsible provision thus puts at risk various nutritional programs, such as food stamps, school breakfast and lunches, Meals on Wheels, and the Commodity Supplemental Program. When H.R. 4 comes to the floor, I will offer an amendment to restore the Federal food assistance program. The block grant proposal does not take into account increased school enrollments, changing economic conditions, and national food nutrition standards. Confronting hunger in America is a serious matter. It should not be left to artificial time pressures and blind budget bludgeoning. It is not responsible to put the health of our seniors and children at risk. I invite my colleagues to join me in amending H.R. 4 to make it responsible on the issue of hunger.”