[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 18, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H5599]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
OPPOSITION TO THE REPUBLICAN NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PLAN
(Mr. PAYNE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I'm not one to go on and on about a lot of
statistics, but as we debate the nutrition bill, there is one that
struck a chord with me. One in four, yes, one in four children go to
bed hungry every night. And I'm not talking about in Africa, China, or
India. I'm talking about one in four children who live right here in
the United States going to sleep without adequate nutrition.
For me and the 1 million New Jerseyans on SNAP, this is a complete
and total outrage. We live in the greatest country on Earth, yet 17
million children in this country do not get the nutrition they need.
Last year alone, SNAP lifted 4 million people out of poverty. The
bill on the floor this week, which would cut SNAP by nearly $40
billion, will only ensure that these people are pushed right back into
poverty.
That's why I strongly oppose the nutrition assistance bill; and I
urge my colleagues to examine their conscience and remember that, when
they cast their vote, they are casting their vote for or against one in
four children who still go to bed at night hungry.
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