Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act of 2013

Floor Speech

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Mr. HECK of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose H.R. 3102.

Ending nutrition assistance for millions of hungry children and adults in the middle of a fragile economic recovery is, frankly, close to the very last thing we should be doing right now. As former Republican Senate leader Bob Dole wrote in the LA Times this week, ``this is no time to play politics with hunger.''

Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, the district I represent has one of the highest concentrations of veterans in all of the United States, and I feel morally compelled to point out that the legislation before us would end nutrition assistance for as many as 170,000 veterans who currently receive it. These are men and women who have served our country with honor and who were prepared to give the last full measure of devotion to America.

So, while I absolutely appreciate Mr. Rogers' pointing out the flaw herein, assurances, however genuine, that we will try to take care of this later do not measure up to the sacrifices these men and women have made. Whatever your stereotypical image in your head you carry around of the average recipient, please understand that that includes the men and women who wore our Nation's uniform, and when you know that, you will vote ``no.''

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