New York State Hunger Action Network

Floor Speech

Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw attention to families across this country going without or simply scraping by as we enter the holiday season.

Food pantries and organizations like the Hunger Action Network of New York State do a great deal to care for our neighbors who are cold, hungry, or homeless--but they cannot do it alone. These organizations need Washington's help, and the people these organizations care for need it even more.

A uniquely American tradition is helping those in need. In my congressional district, one in 10 households lives below the poverty line. These families live each day with struggles that are reflected across our great Nation. These struggles can be fixed by a Congress that pursues policies that ensure a livable wage, that supports programs that help the less fortunate, and that invests in job creation instead of in cuts to critical programs like SNAP.

It is my hope that this House will work together more than it has in recent years to make progress for all Americans, especially for those whom this Chamber seems to have forgotten about. We do not need to wait for the next Congress to take action. I can think of no better time than this holiday season to make progress on these critical issues.

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