End Hunger Now

Floor Speech

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Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, this week, millions of Americans will see their SNAP benefits drastically reduced when emergency allotments end. These supplemental benefits have been a lifeline for families, and I am deeply disappointed they are ending.

In Massachusetts, SNAP benefits will be reduced by $100 per person per month. One family in western Massachusetts, for example, says the reduction will mean having to choose between healthy foods or therapies for their young son with Down syndrome. There are thousands of other heart-wrenching stories just like this.

Thankfully, our incredible Governor, Maura Healey, has a proposal to extend 3 months of State-level partial payments. I support the Massachusetts State legislature acting as quickly as possible on her proposal. I encourage other States to look for ways to help ease the cliff for SNAP recipients.

In the upcoming farm bill, Congress must thoroughly examine benefit adequacy. The average benefit of $2 a meal just is not enough. We can and must do more to end hunger now.

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