[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 53 (Wednesday, March 22, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H3425-H3426]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          LET US RESTORE SOME OF THE FUNDS FOR SCHOOL LUNCHES

  (Mr. ENGEL asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, our Republican friends do not like to be 
called mean spirited even though they put forward a mean-spirited 
welfare reform bill.
  But I say, if the shoe fits, wear it. It is quite apparent that the 
Republican idea of welfare reform means taking food out of the mouths 
of schoolchildren, throwing women and children out in the streets. If 
that is not the case, why will they not allow any of us to put 
amendments on the floor to this bill to restore some of the funds for 
school lunches? They will not allow 
[[Page H3426]] that. That say block grants will solve the situation and 
States could supposedly spend the money the way they want.
  Mr. Speaker, block grants work only if they are fully funded. The 
fact of the matter is they are not going to be fully funded and the 
effect of these block grants will mean cutting job training, cutting 
child care, all of which are necessary in order for people to get off 
welfare. Why are they doing it? The Republicans want to take the money 
out of the mouths of the schoolchildren and use it for tax breaks for 
the rich and for star wars.
  I say it is a disgrace. For shame, Mr. Speaker.
  This ought to be defeated. I have never seen anything more 
disgraceful.

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