Political Quotes

“food stamp spending has quadrupled--gone up four times--since 2001, increasing twice the rate that the other major poverty program, Medicaid, has increased. It is now the second largest Federal welfare program. An individual on food stamps, with all other government programs they may be eligible for, can receive as much as $25,000 a year. Under this bill food stamps will average $80 billion a year for 10 years; whereas, the agriculture farm programs will average $20 billion a year. It is by far the dominant factor in this entire piece of legislation. Amendment No. 2174 deals with the problem through a system known as categorical eligibility. Forty-three States now provide benefits to individuals whose income exceeds the statutory limit--incomes and assets. Only 11 States did that in 2007. I ask that we be able to fix this problem, and I urge my colleagues to vote for it. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Michigan.”