DeLauro Offers Motion to Prevent Privatization of Food Stamp Program, Keep FSA Offices Open

DeLauro Offers Motion to Prevent Privatization of Food Stamp Program, Keep FSA Offices Open

WASHINGTON, D.C. - As Congress begins consideration of the Fiscal Year 2006 Agriculture Appropriations conference report, Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) today offered a parliamentary motion that would prevent privatization of the food stamp program and keep Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices open. The motion would prohibit a state agency from using federal funds if they privatize a certain percentage of their Food Stamp Program operations. It would also codify the decision announced yesterday by the USDA to shelve the "FSA Tomorrow" plan - a plan that would have closed 713 of the Farm Service Agency's 2,351 offices across America, including 2 in the state of Connecticut.

DeLauro called the Food Stamp program, which serves 25 million Americans, one of the most effective, well-run federal programs we have. She pointed to the example of areas hit by Hurricane Katrina - today in Louisiana, nearly 300,000 households are already receiving food stamps. In Texas, there are another 125,000 households receiving emergency food stamp assistance. Texas is hoping to delegate certification and enrollment of recipients for food stamps to a private firm, Accenture LLP. The language offered by DeLauro today would prevent this activity.

"Protecting vital services and benefits offered through the Food Stamp Program is something all of us share, which is why we need to ensure that those charged with administering and carrying out these programs are, by and large, public employees," said DeLauro.

Changes to the Food Stamp program would alter the process for screening applicants, filling out Web-based forms and driving clients to the remaining offices for certification. "Much like with farmers and the proposed FSA office closings, clients—including the children, seniors and many who do not speak English—would be forced to travel long distances for these services," said DeLauro.

Texas's proposed changes to the Food Stamp program appear illegal, conflicting with federal statutes governing the Food Stamp Program that require states to obtain a waiver from USDA. Texas sought no such waiver. If the plan proceeds, Texas's Health and Human Services department would lay off at least 1,200 of state workers, closing nearly a third of state-run eligibility offices around the state—99 in all—Texas is planning to replace staff at low hourly rates.

DeLauro also said Congress should not offer any funding within this bill to close any FSA offices.

"FSA offices provide that critical link between the farmer and the Federal government," said DeLauro. "We all support improving FSA efficiency, streamlining the program so that our farmers get the best services possible. But yesterday's decision confirmed that ensuring FSA field offices remain open and within reach of our farmers is a critical piece of making that happen."

"Whether it is ensuring our most needy citizens receive food stamps or our farmers receive the services they need to keep planting, harvesting and selling crops, this is about the Congress and its role in ensuring that the American people tackle its toughest challenges together," concluded DeLauro. "That is our responsibility to the American people."

http://www.house.gov/delauro/press/2005/October/foodstamp_offices_10_19_05.html