Frank Lautenberg: “I rise to speak against the Paul amendment No. 2182, which would cripple the food stamp program. I have to tell my…”

“I rise to speak against the Paul amendment No. 2182, which would cripple the food stamp program. I have to tell my colleagues that there is an aura of wonderment around here that says: Look, let's cut food stamps for hungry families and for little children. We have the agri companies to take care of, the agribusinesses, to make sure they can feed their children. The most fundamental test for any family is to put food on the table--to make sure their children get the nutrition they need. When tough economic times hit, families can find themselves struggling to meet their most basic needs. The food stamp program was created so that even in the toughest of times, children in this country do not go to bed hungry. Here is a picture of a child reaching out for food--the old story about models on cereal programs, talking about satisfying the brother's hunger with the old remarkable display of what it is that comes to the fundamentals and taking care or letting families who need help get some, especially in this area. It is appalling that our Republican colleague from Kentucky has proposed an amendment to cut more than $300 billion from a program that is a lifeline for many families. These harsh cuts would punish families who need help the most.…”