Political Quotes

“I come to the floor this afternoon to talk about the Nation's first line of defense against hunger--the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Since day one in the Senate, I have fought to pass a farm bill that stands up for North Dakota's farmers, ranchers, and low-income families. In 2014 we passed a strong farm bill, which I helped to write, negotiate, and pass. Since then, I have been working on the next farm bill. Now the Senate is incredibly close to passing the next farm bill, which we crafted with strong support from Democrats and Republicans. This important bill shows that the Senate can work to find compromise and support the American people. A key component of any farm bill is the safety net for farmers and ranchers during tough times, like crop insurance. It also includes a safety net for families who fall on hard times. Our Nation is one of the most prosperous nations in the world. Yet, despite our great wealth, more than one out of seven Americans live below the poverty line. SNAP provides the critical safety net for these Americans who are food-insecure. In my own State of North Dakota, about 54,000 North Dakotans participate in SNAP on any given day. SNAP plays a critical role in helping these families put food on the table in what is oftentimes one of the most stressful periods in a person's life. Of those 54,000 North Dakotans, 43 percent are children, 28 percent are seniors, and about 4 percent are veterans.…”