Abigail Spanberger

I hear even from big retailers, like, H.E.B., one of this country's biggest private companies, asking and pushing to protect these basic nutrition benefits.

We should listen to our food banks, and to our social service providers that help every single day.

I personally believe that that is what is inflammatory.

We are talking about families that are working really hard, and just need a few extra bucks to eat.

I am personally committed to ensure that we pass a farm bill that both supports our farmers and producers, and also protects food security for America's households.

We have to think about, when we are talking about SNAP participants, it is a supplemental program.

I would just like to state for the record that the Federal minimum wage continues to be $7.25, and a tip wage worker, it is $2.13.

So, we are not disadvantaging veterans by removing a hurdle for them to have access to affordable food, is that correct?

Work requirements are in place, and so I submit for the record--or I ask unanimous consent to submit for the record the statute related to existing work requirements, which do indeed already exist for many SNAP requirements.

Clearly, I am going to use up all of my time ranting about this, but the fact is we are here today to talk about making more cuts, to making it more restrictive, to making it more difficult, and I can't say it enough, this is the…

Millions of elderly Americans, our seniors, our grandparents, our retirees, our neighbors, they are going to bed hungry.

Leaving people hungry will not help our economy, it will not create jobs, or balance the budget.

I remain outraged that the Republicans demanded more older Americans be subject to SNAP's harsh time limits on benefits as part of the debt limit agreement.

Hungry kids don't learn, and hunger and poverty are a significant driver to poor learning outcomes, and many families are unable to purchase or access the food their children need to reach their full potential.

SNAP is one of the largest anti-hunger, anti-poverty initiatives in this nation. More than 42 million Americans depend on SNAP each month, including 15.3 million children; 108,000 of those children live in my state.

But when we came to the table to negotiate on the debt ceiling, what my Republican colleagues asked for was increases to our military budget, which has been increased year after year, even though the DOD has failed five consecutive waste…

I inadvertently voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 235 on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as amended H.R. 1669, VET-TEC Authorization Act. I meant to vote ``yea.''

We share your continued commitment to improving voluntary, locally-led, and incentive-based programs under USDA and NRCS.

Your dedication to conservation and supporting America's farmers, ranchers, and foresters is clear.

As part of a greater effort to hire nearly 3,000 new people in the coming years...

I am proud to co-lead with Chairman Baird, the Increased TSP Access Act.

And now we need to focus on making it easier for farmers to enroll in these programs.

Farmers also shared some of the challenges that they experienced in enrolling in these programs.

Last month I convened a farm bill summit in my district to hear directly from Virginia crop and livestock producers.

Thank you, Chairman Baird. I appreciate the opportunity to hear from these two witnesses about USDA's conservation work.