[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 88 (Wednesday, June 19, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E918-E919]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       FEDERAL AGRICULTURE REFORM AND RISK MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2013

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 18, 2013

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1947) to 
     provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and 
     other programs of the Department of Agriculture through 
     fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes:

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam Chair, today I rise to oppose the 
Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act plan to cut SNAP 
funding by $20.5 billion over the next ten years
  The need for food assistance has increased dramatically during our 
nation's economic slump. Texas's rate for food insecurity is 27.6%--
more than one in four Texas children is food insecure.
  The impacts to Texas would be devastating, including 171,000 
immediately off of SNAP and the elimination of almost 500 million meals 
from hungry Texans. In Harris County alone, more than 27,000 children, 
seniors, and their families would lose SNAP benefits; more than 76 
million meals would be eliminated; and the Harris County economy would 
lose almost $175M in lost food retail dollars.
  Meeting the need for food assistance is especially critical for our 
most vulnerable citizens--pregnant and nursing women, infants, 
children, and seniors for whom the consequences of hunger and poor 
nutrition are

[[Page E919]]

the most severe. It is critical that we maintain support for the 
charitable food system and funding for SNAP.
  I have been a strong supporter of SNAP in Congress to help those who 
are food insecure during their time of need. Our office works closely 
with the Houston Food Bank, the largest in the Country, and the Texas 
Food Bank Network to help end hunger in America.

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