[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 157 (Sunday, November 9, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2287-E2288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AUTHORIZATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EVA M. CLAYTON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Saturday, November 8, 1997

  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I intend to vote for this bill. I look 
forward to research funding that can assist in finding out the cause of 
the fish kills in my State, and the origin of the Pfisteria that has 
plagued our waterways. I also look forward to those provisions that 
will be of benefit to the 1890 land grant Institutions. But, I rise to 
express my deep concern with the fate of this bill in conference.
  Last year, this Congress pushed through major welfare reform 
legislation. While I supported welfare reform, I did not support those

[[Page E2288]]

provisions that will leave many Americans without food, without basic 
nutrition, hungry. Under the Senate bill, we will cut another $1.2 
billion, over 5 years, from the Food Stamp Program. The savings from 
this new cut in food stamps will go to other agriculture programs.
  Mr. Speaker, I do not oppose more funding for those agriculture 
programs, however, I do oppose further cuts in the Food Stamp Program.
  Over 877,000 North Carolinians live in poverty. Of those poor North 
Carolinians, over 600,000 of them, on average, receive food stamps. 
Many are senior citizens and children. Last year's welfare reform bill 
significantly affected food stamp recipients in several ways by: 
cutting $27 billion from the Food Stamp Program; freezing the standard 
deduction, the vehicle deduction, the shelter cap and the minimum 
allotment; setting strict time limits on the eligibility of so-called 
able-bodied people between the ages of 18 and 50. These persons will 
only be eligible 3 months out of 36, unless they are enrolled in a work 
placement or training program--exceptions are made for areas of high 
unemployment, but only if the governor of the State requests a waiver.
  Our Governor did not see fit to ask for a waiver that included all 37 
areas that qualified. Our Governor only asked for a waiver that served 
seven areas and disqualifying most legal immigrants from receiving 
benefits until they become actual citizens--even though they pay taxes.
  The Senate bill continues to take funds from a program for the poor. 
The projects that will be funded are worthy. Those who felt the brunt 
of last year's welfare reform bill, should now feel the relief of these 
savings. I hope we will provide that relief in the conference agreement 
on this bill.

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