“My Republican colleagues are threatening the food security of our most vulnerable neighbors”, said Rep. Cicilline.
On September 18, 2013 Rep. Cicilline of Rhode Island asked for and was granted permission to address the United States House of Representatives for one minute regarding the Republican proposal to reduce SNAP food stamp assistance to needy Americans.
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong opposition to the deep cuts to nutrition programs that are being proposed this week by my friends on the other side of the aisle.”
“The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides critical food and nutrition support for hardworking families in cities and towns all across my home State in Rhode Island. The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that more than 180,000 Rhode Islanders rely on this important program every day”, he said.
“Once again, House Republicans have decided, rather than working to come to a bipartisan agreement on the farm bill, that they will instead pander to the far right of their party and, in doing so, impose real hardships on America’s working families and put many children at risk of going hungry all across our country. While protecting generous subsidies for agricultural corporations, my Republican colleagues are threatening the food security of our most vulnerable neighbors. So let’s review this package of cuts to the nutrition program and consider its impact on children, seniors, veterans and families”, said Rep. Cicilline (source: Congressional Record http://thomas.loc.gov).
Rep. Cicilline serves on the House Budget Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee.