Tony Hall: “the Republican proposal to block grant current Federal nutrition programs such as WIC, Food stamps, and the School…”

“the Republican proposal to block grant current Federal nutrition programs such as WIC, Food stamps, and the School Breakfast and Lunch programs is a terrible mistake. The proposed block grant will shift the responsibility to the states without providing adequate funding and will hurt America's most vulnerable, the children and elderly. Mr. Speaker, everything in government is not broken. These programs were started in response to documented problems of malnutrition in the United States. These programs have a proven track record--they have improved the nutrition and health of low-income people in this country. Food stamp benefits across the country are tied to the cost of a modestly-priced nutritious diet sufficient to sustain an active, health life. The key components of WIC include food packages tailored to specific nutrition requirements, nutrition education, health care referrals, and immunization screening. The Child Nutrition programs contain standards that ensure that school meals served to America's children meet certain nutritional requirements. These programs serve as an important safety net for low-income families, especially working families with children. In an effort to cut government spending and deliver on their elected promise to downsize the federal government, the Republicans have targeted an easy, non-voting population--America's poor and hungry children.”