Political Quotes

“So another question I asked was concerning the Department's goal to place more people on food stamps. Here is part of the question from the letter: According to USDA, ``only 72 percent of those eligible for SNAP benefits participated,'' adding, ``their communities lose out on the benefits provided by new SNAP dollars flowing into local economies.'' If USDA's enrollment goals were reached, we asked, how many people would be receiving food stamps today? We have gone up dramatically; how many more would be of benefit? I would simply ask that question. I will ask him again on the Senate floor. How many millions more people would be on the Food Stamp Program if 100 percent of those qualified had enrolled? In 2011 USDA gave a recruitment award, as I mentioned, for overcoming ``mountain pride.'' They produced a pamphlet instructing their recruiters on how to ``overcome the word `no.' '' The USDA claims the chief obstacle to recruitment is a ``sense the benefits aren't needed.'' That is an obstacle. USDA asserts that ``everyone wins when eligible people take advantage of benefits to which they are entitled,'' claiming that ``each $5 in new SNAP benefits generates almost twice that amount in economic activity for the community.'' Well, I guess we just ought to do it another fourfold. That would really make America prosperous. USDA produced a Spanish-language ad in which the main character is pressured into accepting food stamps.…”