Keeping Food on Americans' Tables (Cong. Rec., April 14, 2021)

Summary

Congressional Record, House, page H1741, April 14, 2021. Under the heading Keeping Food on Americans' Tables, remarks state that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, currently provides nutrition assistance to 43 million individuals, with an average individual benefit of $183, and that more than $37.8 billion has been appropriated through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, among other measures. Other remarks on the page offer a resolution to create a department of reconciliation, discuss border encounters and the Second Amendment, and recall the Armenian people of Artsakh.

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“Keeping Food on Americans' Tables (Cong. Rec., April 14, 2021).” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-04-14-crec-2021-04-14-pt1-pgh1741-2-0324b7fd65/, SHA-256 1bb858544d253311440d81b05478cebdfb85d8b18db8e86d06ded329c08b4846.

Full text

April 14, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1741
Mr. Speaker, I fear that we are em- nese, based upon our xenophobia, we nately, the brunt of it was borne by our
barking on a perilous path. Now, more have not atoned. Banning Chinese from communities and, in particular, fami-
than ever, we must recommit to pro- the country, we have not atoned. What lies already living paycheck to pay-
tecting this vital freedom. we did to Muslims, banning them from check. In too many instances, arrogant
Instead of stripping away Americans’ the country, we have not atoned. career politicians issued statewide, in-
constitutional rights, the U.S. Govern- There must be atonement. We have discriminate edicts, forcing businesses
ment should be focused on enforcing to reconcile. We did not do so in 1868, and schools to shut their doors, plum-
law and order. Instead of stripping as it relates to slavery. We should meting our communities into a deep
away Americans’ constitutional rights, have, but we had a President who was recession.
the U.S. Government should be focused antithetical to it, Andrew Johnson. As the end of the pandemic nears, I
on securing our southern border. In- So, I am going to offer a resolution, hope we can use what we learned in
stead of stripping away Americans’ a resolution to create a department of that hearing to provide these families
constitutional rights, the U.S. Govern- reconciliation such that we can accom- with more holistic services, particu-
ment should be focused on protecting plish our atonement, get out of this larly as they engage in a postpandemic
our citizens from gang violence, stop- grieving, and bring our country to- economy that will look wildly dif-
ping human trafficking, and stopping gether. ferent.
the illicit drugs that cross our porous When we had a systemic need for The Supplemental Nutrition Assist-
southern border. dealing with agriculture, we created a ance Program, or SNAP, currently pro-
The President is correct that we have Department of Agriculture. When com- vides nutrition assistance to 43 million
a public health crisis. We have a public merce was in need of some help, we cre- individuals, with an average individual
health crisis on the southern border. ated a Department of Commerce. We benefit of $183. Total SNAP-related
While the Commander in Chief spends have a Department of Labor because spending in fiscal year 2020 was $78.9
time plotting ways to subvert the U.S. labor needs the kinds of legislation and billion, which includes benefits, admin-
Constitution, the brave men and the kinds of benefits that a Congress istration, nutrition education, employ-
women of U.S. Customs and Border can accord labor, the persons who actu- ment and training, and program integ-
Protection are encountering record ally work for a living. When we needed rity. Of that $78.9 billion, $74.2 billion
numbers of migrants attempting to defense, we created a Department of was solely for benefits.
cross the border unlawfully. Defense and a Department of Homeland By way of the Families First
Last month alone, border agents en- Security. Coronavirus Response Act, the
countered more than 170,000 migrants, So, I am proposing that we have a de- Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic
a colossal 400 percent increase from the partment of reconciliation so we can Security Act, and the Consolidated Ap-
same time last year. Yes, this is indeed deal with the issues that have haunted propriations Act of 2021, more than
a crisis. But the problem is not with this country for centuries. A depart- $37.8 billion has been appropriated to
the law-abiding citizens. The problem ment of reconciliation with a secretary respond to the supplemental nutrition
is not with the Second Amendment. of reconciliation, a department of rec- assistance needs of our communities.
Here in Washington, our leaders need onciliation with a budget, a depart- This monumental response is in addi-
to get their priorities in order. We need ment of reconciliation with under sec- tion to the more than $7.7 billion per
to uphold our oath to defend the U.S. retaries so that we can accomplish our month in standard SNAP benefits. Be-
Constitution. We need to defend the atonement with a department of rec- yond direct funding from Congress, the
American people from foreign threats. onciliation. It can be done. former and current administrations
And we need to protect our funda- I am not asking for a commission. have issued more than 4,000 adminis-
mental freedoms. This is about a commitment. A depart- trative waivers to States. These waiv-
f ment indicates that you are committed ers impact operations related to pro-
to a cause. We were committed to gram eligibility, distribution of bene-
COMMITTING TO RECONCILIATION labor; that is why we have a Depart- fits, employment and training, and
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ment of Labor. We were committed to more.
Chair recognizes the gentleman from education; that is why we have a De- These facts are startling. Combined
Texas (Mr. GREEN) for 5 minutes. partment of Education. We now need a with myriad social service policies, in-
Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, department of reconciliation, a com- cluding those found in the short-
and still I rise because I love my coun- mitment to ending this long, sorrowful sighted, outrageously naive American
try. grieving that we have suffered over the Rescue Plan, we are in the midst of our
And, Mr. Speaker, I rise today under- years so that we can understand each Nation’s second-largest expansion of
standing that we are in mourning. Our other better and work together better entitlements.
country is grieving. There are many with each other. Unsurprisingly, leading economists
reasons for this, but we still haven’t If we fail to do this, if we fail to rec- and Wall Street analysts have said key
acknowledged that there is something oncile, Dr. King’s words will become parts of that bill are poorly targeted to
we can do to eliminate some of the our greatest nightmare. He indicated the specific needs of the crisis. As a
mourning and grieving. that we must learn to live together as friend in southwest Missouri recently
We are mourning because police offi- brothers and, I would add, sisters, or said, unnecessary rescue diminishes a
cers are being murdered. Many have we will perish together as fools. We person’s dignity and, if repeated
been murdered across the length and need a department of reconciliation. I enough, gives way to debilitating de-
breadth of the country. We are mourn- will introduce a resolution for such. pendency.
ing because persons are losing their f The witnesses who joined us for the
lives at the hand of the police. Many hearing are our everyday heroes. They
have lost their lives. We are in a state KEEPING FOOD ON AMERICANS’ are the folks who responded without
of mourning, but it goes back far be- TABLES hesitation to the needs of their com-
yond George Floyd, Breanna Taylor, The SPEAKER pro tempore. The munities infested by a pandemic that
Sandra Bland. It goes back to really Chair recognizes the gentleman from took the lives of hundreds of thousands
the founding of the country because we Pennsylvania (Mr. THOMPSON) for 5 of our friends, neighbors, and family
have not atoned for some of our trans- minutes. members. Whether it be the farmer
gressions. Literally, we have com- Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. who chose to donate their crop or the

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mitted crimes against humanity for Mr. Speaker, last month, the House food bank that opened additional sites
which we have not atoned. Agriculture Committee hosted its first, to be more accommodating, the wit-
Slavery was a crime against human- or at least more fulsome, attempt at nesses who testified deserve our
ity; we have not atoned. What we did publicly reviewing the pandemic and thanks.
to the indigenous population was a Congress’ response. I must also applaud the Department,
crime against humanity; we have not This pandemic has infiltrated our particularly the former administra-
atoned. The internment of the Japa- lives in every sense possible. Unfortu- tion. Like it or lump it, the bulk of the

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H1742 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 14, 2021
response originated in the last Con- nians, but actions can. We can learn make these investments in our people
gress under President Trump. Quick- from these atrocities and commit our- and in our country, which are good in-
thinking folks implemented Pandemic- selves to ensuring that something like vestments that will pay dividends for
EBT and the Farmers to Families Food this never happens again, for starters, future Americans and future genera-
Box Program, two projects that remain by requiring that Azerbaijan and Tur- tions to come.
remarkably beneficial to families in key comply with their agreement to re- f
need. lease prisoners of war and civilians
The latter, apparently terminating HONORING MATTHEW GRUDA
held captive by Azerbaijan.
this morning, as I found out through It is time the United States reestab- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
the press, fell victim to inconceivable lish its presence in this part of the Chair recognizes the gentleman from
criticism. There is always room for world by standing up for human rights. Pennsylvania (Mr. FITZPATRICK) for 5
more solutions to the needs of our Na- CRITICAL NEED FOR INFRASTRUCTURE minutes.
tion. Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I
The Farmers to Families Food Box to address also a critical need for infra- rise today in honor and recognition of
Program had open eligibility, making structure in America. It is time that Matt Gruda, my senior adviser and
certain anyone and everyone in need, we build new transportation systems someone who has become both a friend
regardless of status, income, or house- and rehabilitate structures to support and a confidant.
hold size, has supplementary access to a modern economy and a way of life in Matt will be departing our team and
meat, dairy, and produce in an unprec- the 21st century. President Biden’s beginning a new and exciting chapter
edented time of crisis. This program American jobs plan is an attempt to do in his home State of Florida, and I
provided more than 156 million boxes just that with historic investments in would like to take this opportunity to
to households across the United States. improving infrastructure and putting pay tribute to Matt and the remark-
With this program, farmers were able millions of people to work. We need able work he has done for our team
to redirect their products, and Amer- that. over the past 2 years.
ican workers were able to sustain their The goals of this plan is to help all Matt joined our team in 2019, and
employment or join new ventures, all Americans. I urge my Republican col- quickly became an asset to both our
to ensure fresh foods found their way leagues to help forge a bipartisan pack- team and our district. His expertise,
into the homes of millions in need. age to invest in America. sincerity, thoughtfulness, quick wit,
Regardless of the cherry-picked hic- When it comes to transportation, and always pleasant demeanor made
cups this committee and USDA’s lis- California is leading the way by build- him fast friends with so many in our
tening sessions were made aware of, ing the Nation’s first sustainable, true community with a wide range of per-
the program worked exactly as in- state-of-the-art high-speed rail project. sonalities for sure. He has touched so
tended. Shamefully, and because this It will deliver a fast, reliable, and eco- many lives, and he has made more of
was the brainchild of President Trump, friendly way to connect to Los Ange- an impact than he realizes.
the Biden administration has decided les, to the bay area, and ultimately 80 Mr. Speaker, I could rattle off a list
again to ignore rural America and con- percent of the State’s population, get- of wins and crucial behind-the-scenes
tinue to fund programs that favor bil- ting cars off the roads and cleaning our tasks attributed to Matt, but we would
lion-dollar organizations in the cities air. be standing here for quite a while. So
that they serve. It will spur an investment in the to be brief, I want to thank him from
f economy that will deal with the eco- the bottom of my heart for his many
nomic fallout of the pandemic, cre- incredible efforts not just for Team
CALLING FOR RECOGNITION OF
ating reliable, good paying jobs; sup- FITZPATRICK, but for so many organiza-
THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
porting small businesses; and investing tions, schools, businesses, local govern-
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. ment officials, municipalities, and the
in socially disadvantaged communities.
GREEN of Texas). The Chair recognizes people across Pennsylvania’s First
In my home of California’s San Joa-
the gentleman from California (Mr. Congressional District.
quin Valley, we are already seeing the
COSTA) for 5 minutes. Matt does all things with passion,
Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today benefits of high-speed rail.
My legislation, the High Speed Rail and he has given so much of his heart
to mark the 106th anniversary of the to our community. So much of what
Corridor Development Act of 2021, will
Armenian genocide. has been accomplished over the past 2
The first genocide of the 20th cen- help fund this forward-thinking project
and other rail corridors across the Na- years would not have been possible
tury, the atrocity saw the massacre of without Matt’s contributions.
more than 1.5 million men, women, and tion.
Big projects we know are hard. They Matt’s drive, determination, posi-
children at the hands of the Ottoman tivity, and compassion are a winning
Empire. always have been. So bold action, if we
are serious about improving our future, combination and truly a rarity in this
As a young boy in Fresno, my Arme-
is necessary. Since I first came to Con- world. I believe this is why he has been
nian friends told me the stories of the
gress, it has been one of my highest and will continue to be so successful in
horrors that their parents and grand-
priorities to invest in America’s infra- all walks of life. He recognizes the im-
parents witnessed. They never forgot
structure. portance and value in differing opin-
the tragedy, and neither will I.
After decades of inaction, both the What do I mean by this? ions and how we can learn from those
House and the Senate passed resolu- Investing in our Nation’s water infra- who think differently from us; and to
tions in 2019, calling for the recogni- structure, a 21st century system of produce success, we often need to think
tion of the Armenian genocide. It is my transportation, nationwide broadband, outside the box; and to best serve our
hope that the Biden administration and our schools are all investments community and our country, we must
will officially recognize these crimes that the majority of Americans want give everything we have and never give
against humanity. to see us make. up. He has led our team for over 2 years
The debate we are engaged in now is in this manner, inspiring creativity,
b 1030 how we define and what we can agree collaboration, and passion throughout
Just this past year, we witnessed an- on in terms of infrastructure and how the ranks.
other atrocity against the Armenian we pay for it because we must. Matt’s most admirable quality is his
people in Artsakh. There is no denying So let’s show the American people resiliency. I have spoken to Matt’s

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the attacks made by Azerbaijan and that their government can work to- mom, Zena, who talked about the fact
Turkey were premeditated and coordi- gether and make important invest- that his road to get here was full of
nated in an effort to eliminate the in- ments that are long overdue that will challenges, bumps, twists, and turns;
digenous Armenian population of benefit America and regain our lead. yet he faces each one of them with an
Artsakh. Today, we rank 13th in the world in open mind and looks at them as an op-
No words on our part can undo the terms of infrastructure. That is not the portunity to learn and to improve and
terror and brutality suffered by Arme- place America ought to be. We need to grow better.

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