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The Food Stamp Bill

Floor Speech

Date: Sept. 19, 2013
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Unemployed and Low-Income Entitlements and the Safety Net Food Processing and Sales

Mr. HARRIS. Mr. Speaker, the food stamp bill today is a chance to reform the food stamp program, to decrease the waste, fraud, and abuse, and make sure people who need help get it.

This week, 10 Baltimore businesses were indicted for stealing $7 million in food stamps. That's a travesty. One store, like the one pictured right here, defrauded the American taxpayer for $2 million. In fact, the Department of Agriculture found that over 10 percent of stores participating in the program are committing food stamp fraud.

This bill reforms food stamps by cutting waste, fraud, and abuse by just 5 percent, cutting back on fraud like the ``Second Obama Express'' store, and by making sure able-bodied adults are working, seeking work, or getting job training.

Mr. Speaker, Republicans aren't trying to take food out of babies' mouths or make our seniors go hungry. Don't believe the scare tactics from my colleagues who oppose the bill. This is a commonsense reform that cuts waste, fraud, and abuse, leaving more money for the Americans who truly need help in time of need.


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