On the recordSeptember 19, 2013
My friends on the other side can say the same thing over and over again, but it does not make it true. This motion does nothing. Food stamps are not affected by a government shutdown. No one--not a struggling mother, not a child, a veteran, or any person in need--will be denied benefits if they meet the program's current law and eligibility requirements. All this bill does is ask them, just as we did in a bipartisan way in 1996, to prepare for work or participate in their communities in exchange for services. But those much-lauded welfare reforms of 1996 have been thrown aside without the input of this Congress for years and has undermined the well-being of families participating in this program. Work has been proven to be a beneficial part of the physical and mental health of every individual. It raises their family income and improves the outcomes of their children. Why do the opponents of this bill want to undermine this successful strategy for reducing hunger in America by increasing workforce participation and increasing incomes of American families? I urge my colleagues to oppose this harmful motion and support the underlying bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the previous question is ordered on the motion to recommit. There was no objection. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion to recommit.…
