Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014

Floor Speech

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Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, there are nearly 50 million people who are hungry in this country. Seventeen million of them are children, and because we are still emerging from this difficult economy, hunger is not getting better in America. The only reason why people aren't starving is because of the essential safety net programs that we have put in place.

For months and months and months and months, we have seen the Republicans in this House try to gut the SNAP program, try to slash funding for WIC, and for school lunches and for Meals on Wheels. And now, today, we're supposed to believe that they are champions for hungry kids? Today they want us to believe that they care about poor people?

Please. This charade is an insult to the intelligence of the American people. It is a cynical ploy that won't feed a single pregnant mother or won't provide formula to a single needy infant. It's going nowhere. It is a stunt. It's legislating by press release, and it's shameful.

We should pass a clean CR and reject this woefully inadequate bill and try to end hunger in America. Do not treat poor women and children as political pawns. It is not right, and you know it is not right.

We have an obligation to our most vulnerable neighbors. This fails that test, and it fails that test badly.

Pass a clean CR. Do your job. This is cynical.

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