[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 41 (Thursday, April 2, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S3113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ASKS CONGRESS TO RESTORE FOOD 
                       STAMPS TO LEGAL IMMIGRANTS

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, last week, the conferees on the 
Agricultural Research bill made a down payment toward restoring food 
stamps for the needy legal immigrants. The conference report on the 
bill includes $818 million for this program. It is far less than the $2 
billion proposed in the President's budget, and it covers a much 
smaller group of immigrants.
  The conferees' proposal is a bipartisan effort. Both Republicans and 
Democrats urged them to take this step as soon as possible.
  Yet, the Republican leadership in the Senate is ignoring the urgent 
need. The Republican budget does not include a single penny to restore 
food stamps to immigrant children, refugees, Hmong veterans, or elderly 
and disabled legal immigrants, and the Republican leadership has 
declined to allow the Senate to pass the Agricultural Research bill.
  The food stamp cut-off has hurt immigrant families, and it has also 
hurt state and local governments, who must fill the gap. As a result, 
governors and state legislatures have joined Congress to restore these 
food stamp benefits. As Governor Bush of Texas said, ``Food stamps are 
a federal program and the federal responsibility, but the federal 
government is shirking its responsibility. The rules have changed 
unfairly and retroactively for those least able to help themselves.''
  Today, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a resolution 
urging Congress to restore adequate federal funding to the food stamp 
program so needy immigrants in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts can 
receive desperately needed food aid. I ask unanimous consent that this 
resolution be placed in the Record following my remarks.
  It is time for the Senate to act on the Agricultural Research bill. 
It is unconscionable that these benefits can continue to be denied.
  There being no objection, the resolution was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

             The Commonwealth of Massachusetts--Resolution

       Whereas, in August of nineteen hundred and ninety-six, the 
     United States Congress enacted the Personal Responsibility 
     and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, so-called; 
     and
       Whereas, Congress in said act forbade use of Federal funds 
     to provide SSI benefits and food stamp benefits for 
     financially needy immigrants lawfully residing in the United 
     States; and
       Whereas, legal immigrants pay taxes and contribute in many 
     ways to the productivity and vitality of our communities; and
       Whereas, the United States was founded and built by 
     immigrants; and,
       Whereas, Congress should be applauded for the restoration 
     of SSI benefits for legal immigrants through passage of the 
     Balanced Budget Act of 1997; and
       Whereas, Congress must continue in this effort by resolving 
     to restore its financial responsibility in the Food Stamp 
     Benefits Program as the present situation imposes a financial 
     burden on the States and needy residents of the States: Now 
     therefore be it
       Resolved, That the Massachusetts House of Representatives 
     requests that the President and the Congress of the United 
     States restore to the States the authority to provide 
     Federally funded food stamp benefits to needy, lawful 
     residents of the United States; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Massachusetts House of Representatives 
     respectfully requests that the President and the Congress of 
     the United States restore to the Commonwealth adequate 
     Federal funding to allow for the provision of food stamp 
     benefits for financially needy immigrants lawfully residing 
     in this Commonwealth; and be it further
       Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted 
     forthwith by the clerk of the House of Representatives to the 
     President of the United States of America, the presiding 
     officer of each branch of the United States Congress and each 
     member of the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation.

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