Michelle Lujan Grisham

I hope it is clear that this Committee, in a bipartisan effort, really wants to make these benefits work in a way that assists people to move out of poverty.

We need data about whether or not accountability is really occurring at all levels.

I have no tolerance for it, but I expect the state administrators to do their job and to be held accountable.

If you don't have the resources to afford that, even with farmers programs that are involved, you aren't going to have a healthy, nutritious meal as a result.

I can tell you--I tell this story all the time, there is no way for $1.50 a meal I can get the kinds of things that are nutritious.

I thank Members of this Committee who have already joined this important legislation, and encourage all Members to cosponsor this bill.

Using the Low Cost Food Plan takes into account how much working people, including SNAP recipients, spend on food in order to have a nutritious diet.

That is why last month I introduced H.R. 5215, the Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2016.

SNAP benefits must be increased to allow families to fully utilize the skills they learn in SNAP education programs.

New Mexico has one of the highest rates of grandparents raising grandchildren.

Let us know what we can do to continue to support your efforts in this regard.

I have to tell you, Mr. Chairman, that is very impressive.

There are huge waiting lists. There are lots of problems currently in that system, particularly as this population is growing.

I do the SNAP Challenge every time that is offered to Members of Congress.

Up to 80,000 New Mexicans will lose their benefits due to those job requirements to find jobs that, frankly, don't exist

We are also looking at getting folks into a situation where they are not dependent on these benefits

It is an issue we have to address.

I also want these benefits to be targeted in a meaningful way, and I want real opportunity, so that we don't have persistent poverty.

The governor has unilaterally re-imposed very restrictive work requirements on SNAP recipients, even though there are no jobs

I get very concerned when that flexibility... can be utilized in a way that does exactly the opposite of the intent of the core program

The intent of Congress to allow states to have more flexibility in how they operate SNAP and related programs is to really ensure that those states can target the constituents, and those families, in a meaningful way

New Mexico is the 5th largest state in terms of land mass. In contrast, we are 36th in population.

We want folks to get work opportunities, and we don't want being eligible for public benefits to create an environment where you are not succeeding.

I have no doubt that this is going to further exacerbate the problem that you have testified about.

In New Mexico, we have permanent SNAP lines at the commissary on the Air Force base, because we have such high poverty rates...