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Hi All,
This is an update to my earlier post, "Please Do NOT Let the Children go Hungry!" For those for you who have not been following what has been going on in Congress, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (S. 3307) is a program that will help the schools feed children better, healthier lunches. Sounds great…right? Well, let me tell you, even though it does have its benefits, it has one major downfall too. The money to fund this program will come out of YOUR food stamp (or SNAP) benefits!
This bill went thru the lame duck process, in Congress, and while the Democratic Party fought for those of us on the food stamp (or SNAP) program, sadly, they lost the fight just a few days ago. What does that mean for those of us on food stamps…you ask? The government will be taking a portion of the $4.5 billion needed to fund this program from the mouths of the children who need it the most; the ones on the food stamp program, which means, the already low amount that you receive now will be considerably lowered. Most people receive enough food stamps to allow them to spend roughly $3.00 per meal, for their whole family.
I have been in contact with Rep. Peter Welch, Vermont's Democratic Representative, regarding this matter. For anyone who would like to get in contact with him, here is the link to Representative Peter Welch. If you do not live in Vermont, please type into the Google search box: your state, and the word: Congressman. That should take you to a page of links that will be useful in finding your State Congressman. I am including the latest letter I have received from Rep. Peter Welch in this post, so you, the people, can see where our Democratic Representative stands on this very important issue. If you are just as appalled by the signing of this Bill, please visit the "Petitions" page of this blog, there you will find many links to Change.org. (Change.org) Signing these petitions will be able to help us change Congresses discussions on the Bills that they will be, or already have signed. This is not a fight we can do alone; it will take everyone to join together, and fight for what is right, our children; the ones who cannot fight for themselves. Please take a stand, and stand up with me against Congress, if not for yourself, then please do it for your child(ren).
"Together we stand, divided we fall"
– Pink Floyd –
– Pink Floyd –
(Floyd)
December 7, 2010
"Dear Ms. Cochran,
Thank you for your past correspondence regarding child nutrition programs and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), most recently reauthorized by S. 3307. Knowing of your interest, I wanted to give you an update on recent action on this issue in Congress.
Child nutrition programs and initiatives, along with the WIC program, provide critical services to more than 40 million children and 2 million lower-income pregnant and post-partum women. These important programs help increase needy children's access to nutritious meals. I strongly support the provisions of S. 3307 which will help end childhood hunger, reduce childhood obesity, and improve the integrity and management of these critical nutrition programs.
Regrettably, these important reforms were funded by cutting $2.2 billion from the food stamp program. As you may know, Vermont and Alabama have had the highest increase in hunger rates during the past 10 years. I drafted an amendment to S. 3307 which would have increased taxes on individuals with incomes above $100 million by .01 percent to fully fund the child nutrition programs. Unfortunately, this change was not included. In the end, I voted against the bill because it would take the food off the table of the hungriest Vermonters. The bill passed by a vote of 264 to 157 and will be signed into law by President Obama.
Be assured that I will continue to advocate for critical nutritional and food stamp programs. Keep in touch and I look forward to seeing you in Vermont soon.
Sincerely,
PETER WELCH
Member of Congress"
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