DeLauro Fights for Programs That Feed Millions of Hungry Americans

Farm Bill Debate Begins

WASHINGTON, DC—As debate on the Federal Agriculture Reformand Risk Management Act (Farm Bill) began today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro(D-CT) helped lead the fight against the deep and hurtful cuts to theSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps).

The bill cuts $20.5 billion from the program, depriving upto two million Americans—as many as one million of them children—access to itand potentially pushing them into poverty. It would kick roughly 210,000children off of the free school lunch program. And by changing the relationshipbetween SNAP and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), itwould take benefits from millions more seniors and families.

"These cuts to our nation's most important anti-hungerprogram, food stamps, are immoral. Right now, all across the country, nearly 50million Americans are struggling with hunger. That includes 19 million kids.

"Over the past thirty years of policies aimed at debt anddeficit reduction, the key programs that help the most vulnerable among us toget by have always been protected from deep cuts. We should not destroy thatlong-standing bipartisan tradition today, not at such a time of great need.

"Research has shown that SNAP is the most effective programpushing against the steep rise in extreme poverty. Food stamps are proven toimprove low-income children's health and development. They have one of thelowest error rates of any program. And, while feeding families in need, theyspur the economy, by getting resources to people who will spend them.

"This, a time of great need all across the country, is notthe time to be slashing crucial nutrition assistance. To do so would be a crueland unnecessary abdication of our responsibilities."