Blake Moore: “I thank the gentleman from North Carolina. I think that the majority has really raised the point that, historically, we…”

“I thank the gentleman from North Carolina. I think that the majority has really raised the point that, historically, we have not allowed purchases beyond food for the food stamp program, but it's not that poor people don't really need to be able to do that. {time} 1940 This amendment is very narrow, and I can recall from personal experience some of the things that many families run out of in a family that are directly related to their nutritional needs, like a baby bottle. You've never seen a family frantically trying to find the last baby bottle or nipple that the baby has bitten off and not be able to deliver the formula to the child because they don't have a baby bottle and it'll cost over $2 to be able to make that purchase. Certainly, toilet paper is sort of inversely related to eating. The need for feminine hygiene products or deodorant is something that adds to the dignity of being alive. It's quite true that many Americans during our Great Recession only had food stamps to depend on, not even TANF benefits. So if you're looking for a job, you really do want to have deodorant and toothpaste. I think that this is budget neutral, and it is a small concession to make given the draconian cuts we're making in the program already.”