[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 83 (Wednesday, May 17, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H2382-H2383]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       FOOD INSECURITY IN AMERICA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Oregon (Ms. Bonamici) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, the House Republicans released their 
proposed agricultural funding bill this morning, and there is no doubt 
that they are ready to cut nutrition benefits.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to defend the Supplemental Nutrition 
Assistance Program, or SNAP.
  When I worked my way through college, I used assistance--called food 
stamps at the time--so I would have enough to eat.
  My experience is not unique. More than 34 million people in the 
United States are food insecure. Every day millions of Americans rely 
on SNAP to help them put food on the table for themselves and for their 
families.
  SNAP is our most effective anti-hunger program, and we should be 
improving its vital benefits. Unfortunately, my colleagues across the 
aisle are doing the opposite.
  Under the House Republicans' budget bill, which should be called the 
default on America act, many people across the country, including many 
seniors, will lose access to this critical assistance.
  My colleagues claim their benefit cuts will get people back to work 
and reduce our national debt, but taking food assistance away from 
vulnerable Americans will not help anyone find work, it will just make 
them hungry.
  Balancing the budget on the backs of low-income seniors is shameful. 
Unlike the default in America act, the bill I will soon introduce will 
increase access to SNAP benefits for our Nation's most vulnerable 
seniors.
  My Senior Hunger Prevention Act will reduce food insecurity and raise 
the value of SNAP benefits so seniors can live and age with dignity.
  Additionally, the first bill I introduced this Congress is designed 
to eliminate barriers for college students accessing SNAP benefits.
  Students of any age can't learn when they are hungry, and we know 
that they are more likely to succeed in the classroom when they are not 
worried about where their next meal is coming from.

[[Page H2383]]

  Mr. Speaker, strengthening SNAP should not be a partisan issue. I 
also support the bills that several of our colleagues have introduced 
that will improve our food security programs.
  Following last year's White House Conference on Hunger, and as we 
consider the farm bill, Congress must make it a priority to get 
assistance to those who need it most.
  Mr. Speaker, we are at a critical moment to take action to end 
hunger, and the default on America act is not the answer. We must 
strengthen SNAP, not cut it.

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