Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak against the proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. As the Nation's most important antihunger program, SNAP offers nutrition assistance to 46 million low-income Americans and provides economic benefits to communities. SNAP also allows families to more easily set aside a portion of their resources for food and not have to outsource all of their meals and to prioritize a healthier, more consistent diet without compromising as much on obligations such as rent, utilities, transportation and other basic needs. Over 80 percent of SNAP households have incomes below the poverty line and 40 percent have incomes below half of the poverty line. For many of these Americans, SNAP is the only form of income assistance they receive. We cannot allow the budget to be balanced on the backs of the poor and most vulnerable in our country. The proposed farm bill up for a vote in the House Agriculture Committee today would cut $20 billion from the program. I join my colleagues in opposing these draconian cuts to ensure that 46 million people who rely on this program will have food. ____________________”