On the recordDecember 9, 2015
I thank the gentlewoman for her very powerful statement and for, once again, her leadership. I want to remind this body that she has been such an active advocate on behalf of those needing that safety net of SNAP and food stamp benefits and for making sure that people have the right to eat in this country regardless of how much money they have. Again, I thank Congresswoman Fudge. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), the ranking member on the Appropriation Committee's Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, on which I am honored to serve. Every day she is a champion on behalf of all of those who we are discussing tonight in terms of making sure they have an opportunity to live the American Dream. Ms. DeLAURO. I thank my colleague, Congresswoman Lee, for organizing this effort this evening. It isn't just this evening. Every day, 24 hours a day, in her heart of hearts, she knows what her mission is here. That is to make sure that there is a better life for our families and to make sure that there is a better life for our children. It is an honor to work with her on these issues. Mr. Speaker, there is a saying that the strength of a nation starts with the strength of its families. The child tax credit was created in 1997 to help working families afford the expense of raising children. As we all know only too well, the cost of child-rearing goes up every single year.…
