[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 10964]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                NO CUTS TO FOOD STAMPS IN THE FARM BILL

  (Ms. LEE of California asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, as the founder and cochair of 
the Out of Poverty Caucus, this morning many of us stood with advocates 
and faith leaders to say in one voice: no cuts to food stamps in the 
farm bill.
  Food stamps provided that critical bridge over troubled waters for me 
and my family when I was a young mother, and I thank our government and 
the American people for this safety net. The American people were there 
for me and my family when we needed it most. We need to be there for 
people who need it most now.
  Every year, several Members take part in the Food Stamp Challenge. 
You eat for 1 week on average food stamp benefits, which is $1.50 per 
meal. Every Member should join us in the food stamp challenge this 
year, especially Members who want to cut food stamps. You need to know 
what it means to be hungry.
  We simply cannot cut $16 billion in critical SNAP benefits. Food 
stamps not only feed hungry children, seniors, and veterans, but also 
promote real growth and create jobs. It makes no economic sense and no 
moral sense to cut $16 billion from the food stamp program.
  We should reject these heartless cuts on the poor and get back to 
creating the jobs and opportunities for everyone. People would rather 
have a job instead of food stamps to feed their family, but until 
Republicans support efforts to create jobs, we have a moral 
responsibility and a duty to make sure that at least people eat.
  It's hard to believe, in 2012, we are debating feeding people.

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