[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 9391]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        CUTS TO THE SNAP PROGRAM

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Minnesota (Ms. McCollum) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, this week, the House debates a FARRM Bill 
that eliminates SNAP benefits for 38,000 Minnesotans and nearly 2 
million Americans.
  Last week, I hosted a listening session with Congressman Ellison on 
how this would impact our State. We heard from faith leaders, service 
providers, State and county officials, SNAP recipients, young and old.
  Evelyn, a senior, told us she was terrified she'd lose her SNAP 
eligibility under the House bill, and I quote from her: ``Without the 
help from SNAP, I wouldn't be able to buy the healthy foods, fresh 
fruits and vegetables I need to keep my diabetes in check. Without 
SNAP,'' she said, ``I don't know what I would do.''
  For millions of seniors like Evelyn, SNAP is a lifeline. It ensures 
that they don't have to choose between medicine or buying food. And for 
America's children, they should be able to attend school and be able to 
solidly concentrate on their studies because they had something to eat.
  I urge my colleagues to reject this immoral cut and to remember the 
words of Patricia Lull, director of St. Paul Council of Churches: ``No 
more hungry neighbors.''

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