[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 13797-13798]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            SAFE CLIMATE CAUCUS AND HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New 
Mexico (Mr. Ben Ray Lujan) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BEN RAY LUJAN of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, it's time for Congress 
to work together on a commonsense solution to address the impacts of 
climate change.
  As we begin Hispanic Heritage Month, it's important for us to 
recognize the impact climate change is disproportionately having upon 
minority communities across the country. Whether it's farmers and 
ranchers in my home State of New Mexico struggling through devastating 
drought conditions or communities that are being impacted by recent 
flooding as a result of more severe weather, millions of Americans have 
been impacted by the effects of climate change.
  Released earlier this year, a survey conducted by Public Policy 
Polling found 74 percent of Latinos believe climate change is a serious 
or a very serious problem, a higher level than the 65 percent among all 
American adults; 68 percent of Latinos support the President using his 
authority to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, including 60 percent of 
all American adults; 69 percent of Latinos agree with the President's 
statement that ``for the sake of our children'' and our future, we must 
do more to combat climate change, compared to 62 percent of all 
American adults.
  Combating climate change and preserving our land, water, and air is a 
top priority for many Americans, especially those in minority 
communities. For years, a coalition of stakeholders, including Hispanic 
farmers and ranchers, tribal communities, conservation groups, hunting 
and fishing organizations, and local governments came together to lay 
the foundation that led to President Obama establishing the Rio Grande 
del Norte National Monument earlier this year. This is an example of 
the type of leadership and advocacy that can make a real difference in 
addressing climate change and preserving our precious resources. By 
establishing the Rio Grande del Norte, we have created economic 
certainty for farmers and ranchers, increased recreation and tourism 
opportunities, and, most importantly, protected our land, water, and 
air for future generations.
  Mr. Speaker, I have also come to the floor today to express my 
concern for the House Republicans' plan to slash funding for the 
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This program is vital to 
many in New Mexico, especially our children. Sadly, New Mexico ranks 
near the bottom when it comes to childhood well-being and ranked worst 
in childhood hunger.
  The Republican plan to cut $40 billion from the SNAP program caters 
to the most extreme views. Earlier this year, they tried to cut $20 
billion, only to have the Tea Party revolt. So the new plan goes even 
further at a time when many communities are still struggling from a 
slow economy, even including a provision that prevents high 
unemployment areas from receiving additional assistance.
  Today we have 47 million Americans living in poverty. And while we 
should be doing more to address the root causes, we should not turn our 
backs on those struggling to make ends meet by cutting benefits that 
help put food on the table for working families.
  I believe we all share the goal of seeing a stronger economy that 
creates jobs and reduces the need for this kind of assistance. But 
until that time, let's not make the most vulnerable among us pay the 
steepest price.

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