On the recordMay 20, 2019
I think people don't understand that SNAP benefits represent $1.40 per person, per meal--$1.40. I can't get a cup of coffee in Washington, D.C., with $1.40, but that is the benefit we are giving per person, per meal, for SNAP benefits. We should not be talking about cuts to SNAP. We should be talking about how to increase this benefit to the American people, to American children, to our elders, to veterans who are relying on this. Something must be done. As the Congressional Black Caucus, we are here to raise the alarm. Raising the Federal minimum wage would save, even if we raised it to $12 an hour, $53 billion over the next 10 years, nearly four times as much as the proposed rule, by ensuring that workers earn more so that they are better able to afford food, instead of punishing labor market struggles with hunger, as the gentleman said. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Horsford) for any additional thoughts he may have as we close out this Special Order hour, and I thank the American people for listening.
