Kent Conrad: “I am proud to be joined by my colleague, Senator Jeffords, the distinguished occupant of the Chair, Senators Kerrey…”

“I am proud to be joined by my colleague, Senator Jeffords, the distinguished occupant of the Chair, Senators Kerrey, Leahy, Murray, and Reid in offering an amendment to preserve our Nation's Food Stamp Program by eliminating the food stamp block grant. This is one of the most important issues in the pending welfare reform legislation. Members in this Chamber and people around the country often talk of the need for a real bipartisan effort to reform our welfare system. Our amendment is a true bipartisan undertaking. I am hopeful that my colleagues will consider the amendment and the benefits it will provide for our Nation's children and elderly, our cities and our rural areas. Block granting the Food Stamp Program is a mistake for this country. I am confident that if my colleagues give careful consideration to the Food Stamp Program, how it works, who it serves, and how it was developed, that they will vote for our amendment. I want to make clear to my colleagues and others who are watching what this amendment is about. It is about providing food to hungry people. That is what is at issue. This amendment is about making certain that hungry people are fed. That is the most basic test of the fundamental decency of any society. Are hungry people fed? This amendment provides the answer. It says that in America hungry people will not go without food.”