[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 564 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 564

   Recognizing the critical importance of the supplemental nutrition 
   assistance program (SNAP), formerly called the food stamp program.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 27, 2012

Ms. Schakowsky (for herself, Mr. Baca, Mr. Brady of Pennsylvania, Mrs. 
 Christensen, Mr. Cicilline, Mr. Clarke of Michigan, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. 
Conyers, Mr. Courtney, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Ms. DeLauro, Mr. Ellison, 
Mr. Frank of Massachusetts, Ms. Fudge, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Gutierrez, Mr. 
Hastings of Florida, Mr. Holt, Mr. Honda, Ms. Jackson Lee of Texas, Ms. 
Kaptur, Mr. Kucinich, Ms. Lee of California, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. 
   McGovern, Ms. Moore, Ms. Norton, Ms. Richardson, Mr. Sablan, Mr. 
    Serrano, Ms. Speier, Ms. Woolsey, and Mr. Welch) submitted the 
     following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                              Agriculture

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Recognizing the critical importance of the supplemental nutrition 
   assistance program (SNAP), formerly called the food stamp program.

Whereas the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) provides essential 
        nutrition for 46 million Americans;
Whereas research has found that SNAP benefits increase a household's overall 
        dietary quality, as measured by the USDA Healthy Eating Index;
Whereas to qualify for SNAP assistance, a household must typically have an 
        annual income that does not exceed 130 percent of the Federal poverty 
        line, for example approximately $24,000 for a household of 3;
Whereas SNAP participants include the elderly, the disabled, children, 1-parent 
        households, 2-parent households, low-wage workers, the unemployed, 
        students, soldiers, and military families, and white, black, Hispanic, 
        Asian, and Native Americans;
Whereas children make up nearly half of SNAP beneficiaries;
Whereas SNAP is effective and efficient, as evidenced by the facts that every $1 
        in benefits generates $1.72 in economic activity; each $1 billion in 
        SNAP funding supports 3,300 farm jobs; and the SNAP payment error rate 
        is at an all-time low and compares equally or favorably to any other 
        Federal program;
Whereas the Food Stamp Act of 1964, which established permanent authority to 
        carry out the assistance program, enjoyed bipartisan support;
Whereas more SNAP participants were added under the previous administration than 
        have been added under the current administration;
Whereas SNAP benefits can only be used for household foods and for seeds or 
        plants that produce food, and may not be used to purchase nonfood items;
Whereas SNAP provides a bridge to low-income families, with half of participants 
        no longer relying on the program within 9 months of receiving their 
        first benefits;
Whereas SNAP has not and will not contribute to the Nation's long-term fiscal 
        problems;
Whereas nearly half of all SNAP households with children have a working adult 
        but, due to low wages, qualify for food assistance;
Whereas SNAP kept more than 4 million Americans out of poverty in 2010 and 
        lessened the severity of poverty for millions of others;
Whereas the large SNAP caseload reflects the severe recession from which we are 
        just beginning to emerge;
Whereas SNAP participation rates have increased by more than 130 percent in the 
        States hit hardest by the recession, including the States of Nevada, 
        Florida, Utah, and Idaho;
Whereas SNAP's recent growth is temporary, and the program is expected to 
        experience decreased participation once our economy is back on track; 
        and
Whereas every major religion speaks to the importance of preventing hunger and 
        suffering: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes that no ethnic, demographic, religious, or 
        cultural group has been unaffected by our prolonged economic 
        struggles;
            (2) recognizes the significance of the supplemental 
        nutrition assistance program (SNAP) to the American people; and
            (3) supports adequate funding for SNAP moving forward as a 
        means of preventing hunger and strengthening the Nation.
                                 <all>