[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 124 (Friday, July 28, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1538-E1539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND 
               RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1996

                                 ______


                               speech of

                          HON. GARY A. FRANKS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 20, 1995

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1976) making 
     appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and 
     Drug Administration, and related agencies programs for the 
     fiscal year ending September 30, 1996, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mr. FRANKS of Connecticut. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of 
the Hall-Roukema amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations for fiscal 
year 1996. This amendment eliminates the cap on the number of people 
who can participate in the WIC Program. In an effort to return power to 
the States, make our Government more efficient, and help countless 
individuals, it is essential to remove this cap. 

[[Page E 1539]]
This amendment will give the State WIC administrators the opportunity 
to help as many WIC participants as possible.
  WIC is a respected prevention program which effectively fights 
hunger, reduces infant mortality, provides education, and cares for 
low-income women, infants, and children, so they can reach their full 
potential in life. With this counterproductive cap, the WIC Program 
will impact fewer lives.
  The Hall-Roukema amendment is a budget-neutral amendment which would 
remove the cap of $7.3 million on the WIC Program, without changing the 
funding level appropriated in this bill. The elimination of the cap 
would encourage cost-containment measures which would generate more 
savings which, in turn, will serve more needy participants. The cap 
only serves to cause unnecessary redtape in a time when we are working 
to down-size Government and limit Government intrusion into people's 
lives.
  I urge my colleagues to support the Hall-Roukema amendment and 
provide States with the incentive and ability to stretch their funds 
and help eligible individuals enter the WIC Program.


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