[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 116 (Wednesday, July 23, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1213]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 FIGHTING HUNGER INCENTIVE ACT OF 2014

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. SUZANNE BONAMICI

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 17, 2014

  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 4719.
  The bill before us today includes policies that enjoy broad 
bipartisan support, and have been passed by this body before with 
Members from both sides speaking out in favor. Unfortunately, the 
manner in which they are being presented to us today leads me to oppose 
this bill.
  As we debate this legislation, many of our constituents cannot climb 
out of long-term unemployment. Our inaction on extending the Emergency 
Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program means they will not have access 
to benefits that support their efforts to search for a new job. The 
Senate has passed legislation to extend the EUC program, but in the 
House we have been told that the cost of the legislation must be 
offset. Today, however, we are being asked to support a bill that will 
add $16.2 billion to the federal deficit over the next ten years that 
is not offset. This is a double standard that is unfair to our 
constituents and does a disservice to the policies we are considering 
extending here today.
  In January 2013, I voted to support a legislative package that 
extended these three expired provisions: the conservation tax 
incentive, the IRA contribution provision, and the food inventory 
donation incentive. The American Taxpayer Relief Act extended these 
provisions for two years, as did the motion to recommit this bill, 
which was offered by our colleague from Maryland, Mr. Van Hollen. I was 
glad to support these provisions in 2013, and in the motion to recommit 
this bill, because policies to promote charitable giving can help 
bolster the social safety net that has remained stretched by the 
lingering effects of the recession. But to attempt to reinforce the 
safety net in this one area by undermining it in another and refusing 
to extend EUC is a choice that I am not willing to make.
  I look forward to considering these provisions under different 
circumstances, and for standing up for the importance of charitable 
giving. This is, unfortunately, not a bill that I can support, and I 
urge my colleagues to oppose.

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