[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H3585]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           FARM BILL AND SNAP

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Cleaver) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by saying that there are a 
lot of things in this farm bill that I actually agree with, and I would 
like to be supportive of such components of this bill. I agree with and 
would like to be a partner in getting this bill passed. However, there 
are some things I need to mention.
  For the last 50 years, Democrats and Republicans have worked together 
to combine food and farming programs in a bipartisan effort. However, 
when discussing the 2018 farm bill, which will come up for a vote very 
soon, I want to shed some light on some things that don't quite add up, 
some things that aren't what I would call common sense.
  In essence, this bill aims to restrict eligibility and reduce 
benefits of the Nation's most effective antihunger program, SNAP, 
formerly known as food stamps. Moreover, this proposed bill dumps a 
massive burden on State governments. Therefore, although I intend to be 
an active partner in the final passage of this legislation, I cannot 
and will not support the 2018 farm bill until the necessary changes are 
made.
  If enacted, this bill, as it is currently designed, will deal 
damaging blows to the very heart of America by cutting nearly $20 
billion from SNAP, resulting in higher levels of hunger, poverty, and 
critical health problems.
  I want to take just a minute to remind my colleagues and those who 
are watching at home who the SNAP recipients are.
  In my home State of Missouri, SNAP reached 759,000 residents, more 
than 10 percent of the population. That is 1 in every 10 Missourians. 
SNAP kept 221,000 people out of poverty in Missouri, including 109,000 
children, which reminds me--and this is the painful part of being in a 
body that has now become tribal in the way we conduct business, and it 
is so sad that we have come into this situation.
  Over and over and over there is this theory that is floated out in 
America that people are stealing food stamps and living in luxury homes 
and all of this; and it is just so sad because, when you hear something 
like this for decades, people actually believe it. There is no proof to 
what they say when they make these allegations.
  It may be important to know that 82 percent of the places where food 
stamps or SNAP are redeemed, there is 0.5 percent fraud.
  But if you listen to people, they are not going to say it on the 
floor. They could go and say it out in the world, but they won't say it 
on the floor, because they know that it is inaccurate, but you would 
come to believe that, boy, these people are ripping these hardworking 
Americans off.
  Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive. 
That is from Macbeth, and it is exactly what is happening. We are 
deceiving the American public.
  I read somewhere that says the generous will themselves be blessed 
for the food they share with the poor. That is something that we should 
remember, particularly those of us who are inclined to read the book 
from which that quote came.
  As Representatives of the United States of America, it is our 
responsibility to pass legislation that is proactive, not reactive. It 
is our responsibility to understand the very real and human 
consequences that could take place if this legislation is passed as it 
currently stands.
  Once again, let me remind you of the fact that the SNAP program is 
the most effective way to combat food insecurity. I know. I grew up 
poor. I grew up in public housing. I saw my father working three jobs 
to get us out of public housing. We lived there 5 years. He would not 
even take food stamps because he didn't want anybody to think that he 
was not working hard enough. So I get a little frustrated when I hear 
people lying about people who receive SNAP.
  The fact that, in the year 2018, there are children and adults in 
America who go hungry is absolutely appalling. It is important to note 
that over 70 percent of the people who receive SNAP are the children, 
the disabled, and the poor.

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