Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, once again on the Floor today we have a program with historic bipartisan support made divisive by the most extreme wing of the Majority party.

For decades, the Farm Bill has coupled programs for our nation's farmers with food assistance for our most vulnerable citizens, including children and the elderly. In June, the Senate passed a Farm Bill with a bipartisan vote of 66-27. But here in the House, rather than working together for a solution that gives certainty to farmers and maintains the safety net for the hungry, we have seen a one-sided process that first stripped food assistance from the Farm Bill altogether and now proposes draconian cuts to the program.

Slashing $40 billion from SNAP would eliminate benefits for 4 million Americans. It would damage the safety net for our most vulnerable citizens--nearly half of SNAP recipients are children and 16.5% of households receiving benefits include seniors. Many are veterans or Americans out of work through no fault of their own in high unemployment areas. These are not lavish benefits--in my home state of Maryland, the average SNAP benefit is only $128 per month. These are critical dollars that help fight hunger as American families work to get back on their feet after the recession.

The current Farm Bill is set to expire at the end of this month. But rather than move forward, the majority has brought forth an extreme proposal that is a nonstarter with the Senate and the President. It's time to stop these partisan games--I urge a no vote.

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