Sean Reyes: “I am appalled that this motion is offered, given the bipartisan support to restore food stamp benefits to legal…”

“I am appalled that this motion is offered, given the bipartisan support to restore food stamp benefits to legal permanent residents. I am, however, not surprised that there are some still in this House who continue their anti-immigrant, anti-Latino and anti-family campaign. Let me repeat, Mr. Speaker. We are talking about benefits to legal residents; legal residents who come to this country from all parts of the world. Earlier this year we welcomed the administration's proposal to extend eligibility to legal residents who have lived in the United States for 5 years. We supported this proposal because it was simple and straightforward. The Senate has included the administration's proposal in its version of the farm bill, but efforts continue in conference discussions to undermine a fair and simple restoration of benefits for legal residents. I hope that this Congress, Mr. Speaker, does the right thing and restores food stamp benefits to legal residents, and I also today ask President Bush to do more to convince his party that legal permanent residents deserve these benefits. It is long overdue, it is time, and it is the right thing to do.”