[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 15, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H2623]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN OPPOSITION TO PROPOSED SNAP CUTS

  (Mr. VEASEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak against the proposed 
cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. As the 
Nation's most important antihunger program, SNAP offers nutrition 
assistance to 46 million low-income Americans and provides economic 
benefits to communities. SNAP also allows families to more easily set 
aside a portion of their resources for food and not have to outsource 
all of their meals and to prioritize a healthier, more consistent diet 
without compromising as much on obligations such as rent, utilities, 
transportation and other basic needs.
  Over 80 percent of SNAP households have incomes below the poverty 
line and 40 percent have incomes below half of the poverty line. For 
many of these Americans, SNAP is the only form of income assistance 
they receive. We cannot allow the budget to be balanced on the backs of 
the poor and most vulnerable in our country.
  The proposed farm bill up for a vote in the House Agriculture 
Committee today would cut $20 billion from the program. I join my 
colleagues in opposing these draconian cuts to ensure that 46 million 
people who rely on this program will have food.

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