Kent Conrad: “Let me conclude. We want a plan and a program that is going to assure us, as the Food Stamp Program does now, that if…”

“Let me conclude. We want a plan and a program that is going to assure us, as the Food Stamp Program does now, that if people are hungry, if they have been hit by a sharp economic downturn and a natural disaster, that they are going to have a chance to be fed. Let me just say, with respect to the notion of opt in and opt out, that you have a one-time opt out here; one time. Does that mean Florida is never going to be hit by another natural disaster? Does that mean that Florida is never going to be hit again by an economic downturn? Mr. President, this is not well-crafted. This is not well thought through. It goes right to the heart of the Food Stamp Program. More importantly, it goes right to the heart of the question in America: Are we going to make sure that hungry people are fed? I am happy to yield.”