[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 154 (Thursday, October 31, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7693-S7694]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                 Expiration of Stimulus Funds for SNAP

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, 2 days ago Kate Maehr of the Greater 
Chicago Food Depository came to visit me in my office. Kate is one of 
my favorite people. Kate runs this huge network of food distribution in 
the Chicagoland area. Her warehouses are huge, and they are filled with 
foodstuffs, much of which is donated by companies that produce food so 
that it can be distributed in food pantries and other sources all 
around the Chicagoland area. Kate is one of the best, and I look 
forward to her visits each year because I know the fine work she does 
to feed the hungry.
  Two days ago she came into my office very sad.
  She said: I don't know what we are going to do.
  I said: What is the matter?
  She said: This Friday the increase in food stamps, or SNAP benefits, 
for the poor people who live in the greater Chicagoland area is going 
to be cut. It may be only $10 or $15, but I know these people, I know 
many of them personally, and they live so close to the edge. It will 
call for some sacrifice on their part, and many of them will be hard-
pressed to make that sacrifice, and I can't make up the difference. 
With all of the donations and all of the charitable contributions, I 
just can't make up the difference.
  I thought about it for a minute. I thought, how would you approach a 
Member of the Senate or the House of Representatives and say: You know, 
this cutback of $15 a month will really hurt. It is hard for us, in our 
positions in life, to really understand or identify with the plight and 
the struggle of those who are not certain where their next meal is 
coming from.
  Most of those people have the benefit of the SNAP program, the food 
stamp program. Well, who are these people? Who are these 48 million 
Americans who receive benefits from this program? Almost 1 million of 
them are veterans. Veterans who are not sure where their next meal is 
coming from get food stamps--SNAP benefits. Almost half of the 48 
million are children. There are 22 million children and another 9 
million who are elderly and disabled. When we talk about cuts in the 
SNAP program, we are talking about these people--the veterans, 
children, the elderly, and the disabled.
  Right now there are two proposals before us. One proposal is from the 
Senate, and that cuts back spending on this program to the tune of $4 
billion over 10 years. I supported it because I think it closes the 
potential for abuse. I don't want to waste a penny of Federal 
taxpayers' money on any program in any way, shape, or form. Senator 
Stabenow, chairman of the Senate agriculture committee, made this 
change in the food stamp program that will save us $4 billion and will 
not create hardship. In fact, it closes what may be a loophole.
  Now comes the House of Representatives, and their view is much 
different. They want to cut some $40 billion--10 times as much--over 
the next 10 years. When we take a look at the approach they are using 
for these cuts--10 times the amount cut by the Senate--we understand 
how they get their so-called savings. They take almost 4 million--3.8 
million--people out of the program: children, single mothers, 
unemployed veterans, and Americans who get temporary help from the food 
stamp program. The House would cut $19 billion and 1.7 million people 
from SNAP by eliminating the authority of Governors of both political 
parties to ask for waivers so that low-income childless adults under 50 
can still receive benefits beyond the 3 months they do ordinarily. This 
says that Governors looking at their States with high unemployment 
understand that there are people in need.
  It is hard for Members of Congress in the House or the Senate--it is 
hard for me too--to really appreciate the lifestyle of someone living 
from paycheck to paycheck, but that is a reality for millions of 
Americans. Many of the people who are receiving food stamps are 
working. That may come as a shock to people, but they are not making 
enough money to feed their families.
  I went on a tour of a food warehouse in Champaign, IL, and had a 
number of people explain the importance of not only their work with 
food pantries but the importance of the food stamp program. I noticed 
one young woman who was part of the tour. I didn't quite understand why 
she was there. She was an attractive young mother who was dressed well. 
She explained that she had two children. I later learned why she was 
there. She is a food stamp recipient. She has a part-time job with the 
local school district--not a full-

[[Page S7694]]

time job--and her income is so low, she still qualifies for food 
stamps, SNAP benefits. She was there to thank me. She wanted to thank 
me not just for the food stamp program but because we changed the law a 
couple of years ago and allow mothers like her to take their kids to 
farmers markets and use their food stamps to buy fresh produce.
  She said: It is almost like a trip to Disneyland for my kids. They 
have come to know the farmers, and they look forward to meeting them 
each week. The farmers give them an extra apple or tomato or this or 
that, and I just want to thank you. My kids are getting good food from 
farmers markets, and it helps us make ends meet.
  This is a single working mom with two kids. Those are the types of 
people who are receiving food stamps and benefits. The notion that they 
are somehow lazy welfare queens--go out and meet them. Meet the woman 
at the Irving Park United Methodist Church food pantry I met who is 
trying to live in the city of Chicago on a Social Security check that 
pays her $800 a month. I challenge any Member in the Senate or House to 
try to get by on $800 a month in the city of Chicago. She makes it 
because she has two food pantries that give her 3 or 4 days of food 
each and she has food stamps.
  I will conclude by saying that what we are talking about as far as 
food stamps is really a matter of basic hunger of children, veterans, 
elderly, and disabled who get this helping hand that makes a difference 
in their lives.
  We are a great and caring nation. I am so proud to represent a great 
State in that Nation. We are a caring people, and caring people do not 
turn their backs on hungry kids or hungry elderly people. We better 
take care, when it comes to this food stamp program, that we don't make 
cuts that are going to make their lives more difficult.
  Finally, Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that all speakers on 
the Democratic side prior to noon be limited to 5 minutes each.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I don't know whether Senator Boxer was 
to be recognized.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I will take 5 minutes.
  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I understand that Senator Boxer wants 5 
minutes, and I will yield to the fine chairman of the Environment and 
Public Works Committee for 5 minutes.
  I ask unanimous consent that Senators on the Republican side be 
allocated 10 minutes each.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I thank the ranking member on the Budget 
Committee. I know he has a lot on his plate. He and I work well 
together, and I thank him.
  Mr. President, I want to put on the Record my strong support for 
Congressman Mel Watt to be Director of the Federal Housing Finance 
Agency. May I do that.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mrs. BOXER. I hope we have a resounding vote for Mel Watt. He is a 
terrific person. He has the heart, intelligence, and the experience.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, as critical decisions are being made about 
the future of the housing finance system, it is time that we place 
permanent leadership at the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, 
FHFA. Congressman Mel Watt has both the experience and the expertise to 
help create a system that ensures access to safe and affordable credit 
and other housing options for all Americans.
  Congressman Watt brings with him over 40 years of experience in 
housing, real estate, and other financial services issues. From 1970 to 
1992, he ran a law practice focusing on business, real estate, 
municipal bonds, and community development, learning the details of 
housing finance from the ground level. He was first elected to 
represent the 12th district of North Carolina in 1992 and has served 
over 20 years on the House Financial Services Committee. In addition, 
his work on the House Subcommittees on Capital Markets and Government 
Sponsored Enterprises, and on Financial Institutions and Consumer 
Credit has given him the necessary policy expertise to run the agency 
that oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
  Congressman Watt's experience and expertise made him one of the first 
policymakers to recognize how predatory underwriting practices were 
threatening the larger housing market and economy as a whole. Years 
before the foreclosure crisis began, Congressman Watt, along with 
Congressman Brad Miller, introduced the Prohibit Predatory Lending Act 
in 2004. They reintroduced it every Congress after that until it was 
adopted as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer 
Protection Act. In March 2007, only 2 months after the Democrats became 
the majority party in Congress, Congressman Watt joined Chairman Barney 
Frank in introducing a bill to reform regulation of Fannie Mae and 
Freddie Mac. The bill passed both the House and the Senate with 
bipartisan support and now called the Housing and Economic Recovery 
Act, HERA, was signed into law by President Bush in July 2008.
  Congressman Watt also brings with him the experience and balance in 
vision to represent all stakeholders fairly, and has broad support from 
both industry and consumer groups.
  ``The National Association of Realtors has long appreciated 
Representative Watt's proven ability and willingness to engage the 
industry, stakeholders, and consumers throughout his service in the 
House of Representatives. Watt has always aimed to craft policy that is 
fair, garners wide consensus, and allows all parties to move forward, 
all of which are vital qualities for the Director of the FHFA.''
  The Mortgage Bankers of America said, ``Congressman Watt would bring 
considerable experience to the post of Director [and] a strong base of 
understanding on a wide variety of public policy issues related to 
housing finance. . . . [W]e would urge the Senate to approve his 
nomination.''
  The Center for Responsible Lending said, ``Watt brings to FHFA an 
ability to work with a variety of stakeholders, with many competing 
interests and perspectives. He has a track record of crafting practical 
solutions and alliances for a complex, dynamic marketplace. He is 
consistently thoughtful, fair, and respectful of all opinions, and his 
policies have been guided by a concern for all Americans.''
  The National Association of Home Builders said, ``We applaud the 
nomination of Representative Watt to this important position. After 
four years in conservatorship, the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac 
stands at a crossroad. Rep. Watt brings years of experience to this 
position at a pivotal moment as our nation's housing market recovers. 
NAHB looks forward to working closely with Rep. Watt to help address 
the many complex challenges facing the U.S. housing finance system upon 
his confirmation by the U.S. Senate.''
  The Center for American Progress said, ``We believe that Mr. Watt has 
the vision, expertise, and experience necessary to provide strong 
leadership for FHFA. His personal background and professional 
experience have provided him with a deep commitment to affordable 
housing and sustainable credit, which not only support a robust housing 
market, but also provide shelter and opportunity for America's families 
and spur economic growth for the nation as a whole.''
  The United States Conference of Mayors said, ``It is not surprising 
that Representative Watt has bipartisan support in the Senate. His 
record shows that he can work across the political aisle finding 
solutions to complex problems. Time and time again, mayors have been 
impressed with his thoughtful approach in developing solutions that are 
mindful of all stakeholders. As the nation's housing market climbs back 
as a major part of our economy, we need such a leader as Mel Watt at 
the head of FHFA.''
  Mr. President, I ask to speak as in morning business for the rest of 
my time.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.