[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 103 (Wednesday, July 11, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H4810]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

  (Mr. TONKO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose the deep cuts proposed 
to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
  The SNAP program provides low-income families, our disableds, and our 
elderly essential access to healthy foods. We should not ask our most 
vulnerable citizens to go hungry to balance the Federal budget. A cut 
of $16 billion in SNAP benefits will not achieve that balanced budget.
  SNAP benefits not only provide needed nutritional support to 
recipients; they support local economies and our farm operations by 
boosting sales of fresh fruit and vegetables at farmers markets and 
local grocery stores. Our Nation's farmers and ranchers produce high-
quality abundant foods in a system that is the envy of the world.
  There is no reason for anyone to go hungry in the United States. 
Let's produce a food and farm bill that each day gives farmers a fair 
deal and ensures all of our citizens nutritious meals.

                          ____________________