Eva M. Clayton: “A compelling case can be made against the proposal to convert Federal nutrition programs into block grants. That case…”

“A compelling case can be made against the proposal to convert Federal nutrition programs into block grants. That case will be made tonight. Over the next 2 hours, the American public will hear from many of our colleagues about the dangers of certain provisions of H.R. 4, the Personal Responsibility Act. That is the bill that contains provisions to slash school lunches and breakfasts. That bill will remove thousands of women, infants and children from the WIC Program. National nutrition standards will be eliminated by the bill. And States will be able to transfer as much as 24 percent of nutrition funds for non-nutrition uses. But, the impact of this proposed bill goes even deeper. Retail food sales will decline by $10 billion, farm income will be reduced by as much as $4 billion and unemployment will increase by as many as 138,000. The security of America's economy is at stake. From grocery stores, large and small, to the farmer and food service worker--everyone will suffer. Most States will lose money. But, the case becomes even more compelling when viewed in a broader context. The House Appropriations Committee is pushing a recession package that, when combined with the proposed cuts in the nutrition programs, will squeeze those most in need in ways we have not seen in America, since the Great Depression of the 1930's. Nearly $2 billion will be cut from education programs, including money for drug free schools and educational support for the disadvantaged.”