[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 17, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H5918-H5919]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             END HUNGER NOW

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, a few weeks ago, the House Agriculture 
Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations hosted 
a hearing that discussed the devastating impacts of President Trump's 
proposed cuts to broad-based categorical eligibility.
  Today, I would like to share the stories of a few of my constituents 
who have benefited from the streamlined process that broad-based 
categorical eligibility provides hungry families in accessing food 
benefits.
  In my hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts, a single mother who is a 
domestic violence survivor raising one child works as a certified 
nursing assistant and makes $1,819 per month before taxes or payroll 
deductions.
  While this may sound like enough to get by, her current income is 
barely over 130 percent of the Federal poverty level.
  Even with an income this low, her family only receives a $15 monthly 
SNAP benefit. But because of broad-based categorical eligibility, her 
child is also able to receive free school meals, and it helps her stay 
afloat as a working mom.

                              {time}  1030

  Then there is another Worcester-area family of four, former refugees, 
with two high school aged children. The mother and father, who both 
work in shipping and packaging, make $15.35 an hour. While both parents 
work as many hours as they can, their income fluctuates depending on 
how many shifts they are assigned each week.
  Many months they make under 130 percent of the Federal poverty level. 
But during other months, when they get extra shifts, it puts them 
slightly higher, over 130 percent. This month they received $110 in 
SNAP; but if it were up to the Trump administration, just one more 
shift could threaten the entire family's access to SNAP and their 
children's access to free school meals.
  Mr. Speaker, broad-based categorical eligibility is not a black-and-
white issue. President Trump shouldn't be cutting off people's benefits 
just as they are getting on their feet.
  Last year, we worked hard to come up with a bipartisan farm bill and, 
despite some discussions on this issue, Congress agreed then, and in 
2014, to allow States to maintain their flexibility in accommodating 
low-income households. In my home State of Massachusetts, where the 
cost of living is relatively high, compared to the rest of the country, 
that flexibility is crucial.
  I would like to take a moment now to highlight a forward-thinking 
partnership to address hunger among college students in Gardner, 
Massachusetts. I find the work of organizations that address food 
insecurity to be especially important during times like these.
  I have mentioned before that the average SNAP benefit is around $1.40 
per person per meal. You can't even buy a cup of coffee for that, much 
less feed an entire family. For those experiencing hunger, food 
pantries often serve as the safety net when SNAP just isn't enough.
  In my district, for example, Worcester County Food Bank provides 
donated food to a network of 118 partner agencies, including food 
pantries, community meal programs, and shelters. Its mission is to 
engage, educate, and lead Worcester County in creating a hunger-free 
community. Last year, they served 81,000 neighbors.
  Recently, I visited one of the food bank's partners, the Mount 
Wachusett Community College's Food for Thought Campus Pantry, one of 
the first college food pantries to partner with the Worcester County 
Food Bank in addressing food insecurity on local college campuses.
  Research shows that community college students experience higher food 
insecurity than the rest of the population. A recent study found that 
two out of three community college students are food insecure.
  The Food for Thought Campus Pantry was created in October of 2017 for 
students and by students in response to food insecurity among community 
college students, which is becoming an increasing threat to student 
success.
  Since the Food for Thought Pantry opened its doors in October 2017, 
210 students have registered for food assistance, and 7,238 pounds of 
food, and 15,807 total items were distributed.
  Without organizations like the Worcester County Food Bank and Mount 
Wachusett's Food for Thought Food Pantry, students and families would 
not have consistent access to the food that they need. These programs 
and organizations are an irreplaceable key to solving our Nation's 
hunger crisis, but they can't bear all of the

[[Page H5919]]

weight if the Trump administration has its way and cuts millions off of 
SNAP.
  That is why I encourage my colleagues in the House and Senate to join 
me and fight every single attempt this administration makes to wage war 
on people who are hungry. Working together is the only way we are going 
to be able to end hunger now.

                          ____________________