The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“TRUMP SHUTDOWN IMPACT ON SNAP RECIPIENTS” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H983 on Jan. 22, 2019.
The Department is primarily focused on food nutrition, with assistance programs making up 80 percent of its budget. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department implements too many regulations and restrictions and impedes the economy.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
{time} 1915
TRUMP SHUTDOWN IMPACT ON SNAP RECIPIENTS
(Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, by now, you have seen the images of furloughed public servants lined up at food banks across our beloved country. This is a sight seen in communities everywhere, including throughout northern Ohio.
I rise today to call attention to the misery the Trump shutdown is creating for millions of hardworking Americans who now have to rely on food assistance to get by: working people who have to be degraded in this way.
Federal workers, who rely on SNAP food assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, face daily uncertainty from the Trump shutdown. The early distribution of benefits received last week represents the February SNAP allocation, a sum that they will be asked to stretch to a date not yet determined.
Mr. Speaker, this is unacceptable. President Trump should immediately act to protect SNAP benefits, reopen the Federal Government, and bring Federal workers back to work with paychecks they have earned.
If you are a furloughed Federal worker and face hunger issues, please do not hesitate to reach out to your local food bank. You can locate your local food bank through ``Feeding America'' to plan for the uncertain.
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