Feeding America and the Farm Bill


76% of SNAP recipient households include a child, elderly person, or disabled person.

76 percent 76% of SNAP recipient households include a child, elderly person, or disabled person. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as food stamps, helps over 47 million low-income Americans put food on the table by providing benefits that are timely, targeted, and temporary.
Learn how SNAP works and who qualifies for assistance»

Help Prevent Cuts to Anti-Hunger Programs

On
November 1, 2013, all SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,
formerly know as food stamps) recipients will see a reduction in their
benefit levels because of legislation passed by the United States
Congress in 2010.

Cuts that will equal 1.9 billion meals no longer available to the
children, seniors, and disabled that rely on their SNAP benefits to help
put food on the table. That is more than half of what the entire
Feeding America network will distribute in the entire year!

You should also know that Congress is considering adding even larger
cuts to SNAP benefit levels and eligibility. Decisions that impact
Americans struggling with hunger in your community and across the
country are being made right now. Use your voice to help prevent these
cuts by telling your members of Congress to protect anti-hunger
programs.

Tell Congress to protect anti-hunger programs

Meet Jim, Real Stories of SNAP

For more than 40 years, Jim worked as a mechanic. When the economy crashed, business stopped. For rural clients like Jim the challenges of lower levels of education and concentration of low-wage industries can be hard to overcome. Jim knew he needed to apply for SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps) when after waiting for a customer payment all day – it simply never arrived. Without a cracker in the house he applied for food assistance and is glad he did. He would have had no other way to eat.

The Farm Bill

The Farm Bill, which is reauthorized every five years, is the single largest source of federal funding for federal hunger-relief programs. In addition to setting policy for programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) that put food on the table for Americans struggling with hunger, it covers a range of agriculture-related areas such as commodities, conservation, rural development, livestock, and energy.

In 2012, Congress was unable to pass a Farm Bill.  Help us urge Congress to pass a strong Farm Bill that protects and strengthens programs that help Americans struggling with hunger put food on the table. Take Action Today!

Tax Policy and Deficit Reduction

Feeding America is actively engaged in protecting federal anti-hunger programs as Congress addresses how to reduce the deficit and balance our nation’s budget, as well as advocating for federal tax provisions that protect food and fund donations to the Feeding America food bank network.

Appropriations

Feeding America is engaged in advocating for a strong federal anti-hunger safety net through the Appropriations process and ensuring programs like TEFAP, CSFP, and WIC have adequate funding to meet the need.

Once Appropriations season heats up, we may need your help to ensure these programs are adequately funded, so stay tuned!

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 11/20~~ the House


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The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Wednesday, November 20, 2013. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour for debate only with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the second half.

 Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1197, the National Defense Authorization Act. There will be up to 6 hours for debate only on the issue of sexual assault with the time divided as follows:

  • Senator Gillibrand, or her designee controlling three hours;
  • Senators McCaskill and Ayotte, or their designees, each controlling 75 minutes;
  • Ranking Member Inhofe, or his designee, controlling 20  minutes; and
  • Chairman Levin, or his designee, controlling 10 minutes.

 We hope to reach an agreement to vote on the sexual assault-related amendments during Wednesday’s session.

Senator Reid asked unanimous consent to vote on the Gillibrand (SA #2099) and McCaskill-Ayotte (SA #2170) sexual assault amendments at 5:30pm tonight.

Senator Inhofe asked to modify the request that following disposition of the McCaskill/Ayotte amendment #2170, all pending amendments be withdrawn and the Republican manager or his designee be recognized to offer the next amendment in order to be followed by an amendment offered by the Majority side and the two sides continue to offer amendments in alternating fashion until all amendments are disposed of.

Senator Reid did not agree to the modification.

Senator Coburn then objected to the original Reid request.

The Senate is in a period of morning business for debate only until 7:30pm, with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. Roll call votes are unlikely tonight. Senator Reid will be recognized at 7:30pm.

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.304, Recognizing the 30th Anniversary of the date of the restoration by the Federal Government of Federal recognition to the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, November 22, 1983.

Adopted S.Res.305, Recognizing National Native American Heritage Month and celebrating the heritages and cultures of Native Americans and the contributions of Native Americans to the United States.

Adopted S.Res.306, designating Thursday, November 21, 2013, as “Feed America Day”.

Adopted S.Res.307, a resolution permitting the collection of clothing, toys, food, and housewares during the holiday season for charitable purposes in Senate buildings.

Adopted S.Res.308, Recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of National Runaway Prevention Month.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.1752, the Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013. (Gillibrand)

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.1737, the Minimum Wage Fairness Act. (Harkin)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Senator Reid filed cloture on S.1197, National Defense Authorization Act. The filing deadline for germane first degree amendments is 1:00pm, Thursday, November 21.

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Last Floor Action:
7:08:25 P.M. – The House adjourned. The
next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on November 20, 2013.

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Do you know what the Affordable Care Act means to your Small Business?


Have you heard about the new Health Care Marketplace?

Join the Portland District Office and Cover Oregon on Monday, November 25 from 8:30-10 a.m., to learn more about the Affordable Care Act and how the new online marketplace will make shopping for health coverage easier.The SBA and Cover Oregon will cover:

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 >More information and registration

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 11/19 ~~ the House


obamacapitol_300The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Tuesday, November 19, 2013.  Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for debate only for one hour with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.

 Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1197, the National Defense Authorization Act.

 The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

The following amendments are pending to S.1197, the National Defense Authorization Act:

The Senate has reached an agreement that results in a series of 2 roll call votes at 5:00pm tonight. Those votes will be in relation to the amendments listed below. Each amendment is subject to a 60-affirmative vote threshold.

–          Ayotte #2255 (Guantanamo)

–          Levin-MCain-Feinstein #2175 (Guantanamo)

Unanimous consent agreement

Reid:    Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the pending motion to recommit be withdrawn; that the pending Levin amendment #2123 be set aside for Senator Ayotte, or designee, to offer amendment #2255, relative to Guantanamo; that the amendment be subject to a relevant side-by-side amendment, which is #2175 from Senators Levin and McCain; that no second degree amendments be in order to either of the Guantanamo amendments; that each of these amendments be subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold; that the time until 5pm be equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees; that at 5pm, the Senate proceed to vote in relation to the Ayotte amendment #2255; that upon disposition of the Ayotte amendment, the Senate proceed to vote in relation to the Levin-McCain amendment #2123; that there be two minutes equally divided in between the votes; further, that no motions to recommit be in order during the consideration of S.1197.

5:01pm the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on Ayotte amendment #2255 (Guantanamo).

Not Agreed to: 43-55

5:30pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the Levin amendment #2175 (Guantanamo)

Not Agreed to: 52-46

There will be no further roll call votes today.

Senator Reid asked unanimous consent to set aside the pending Levin amendment #2123 and Senator Gillibrand or her designee be recognized to offer the amendment #2099 (sexual assault) and that the amendment be subject to a relevant side-by-side amendment from Senators McCaskill and Ayotte, amendment #2170. He also asked consent that no second degree amendments be in order and each of the amendments be subject to 60 affirmative votes; that when the Senate resumes consideration of the bill on Wednesday, November 20th, the time until 5:00pm be equally divided between the proponents and the opponents of the Gillibrand amendment; and that that at 5:00pm, the Senate proceed to vote in relation to the Gillibrand amendment #2099; that upon disposition of the Gillibrand amendment, the Senate proceed to vote in relation to the McCaskill-Ayotte amendment #2170; that there be two minutes equally divided in between the votes; and no motions to recommit be in order during the consideration of the sexual assault amendments.

Senator Inhofe asked to modify the request that following disposition of the McCaskill/Ayotte amendment #2170, all pending amendments be withdrawn and the Republican manager or his designee be recognized to offer the next amendment in order to be followed by an amendment offered by the Majority side and the two sides continue to offer amendments in alternating fashion until all amendments are disposed of.

Senator Reid did not agree to the modification and Senator Inhofe objected to the original request.

Subsequently, Senator Reid re-filled the amendment tree.

–          Motion to recommit S.1197 with instructions (amendment #2305)

–          Reid amendment #2306 (date change) to the instructions

–          Reid amendment #2307 to amendment #2308 (date change)

Senator Reid expressed his hope that Senators will come to the floor tomorrow to debate the sexual assault issue so that we can set up a vote tomorrow afternoon.

The Senate is in a period of morning business for debate only until 7:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1)      Ayotte amendment #2255 (Guantanamo) to S.1197, the National Defense Authorization Act; Not Agreed to: 43-55 (60 affirmative votes required)

2)      Levin amendment #2175 (Guantanamo); Not Agreed to: 52-46 (60 affirmative votes required)

Additional LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Discharged the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee and passed S.381, to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the World War II members of the “Doolittle Tokyo Raiders,” for outstanding heroism, valor, skill, and service to the United States in conducting the bombings of Tokyo with a Brown amendment.

Discharged the Armed Services Committee and passed H.R.3304, to authorize and request the President to award the Medal of Honor to Bennie G. Adkins and Donald P. Sloat of the United States Army for acts of valor during the Vietnam Conflict and to authorize the award of the Medal of Honor to certain other veterans who were previously recommended for award of the Medal of Honor with a Levin amendment and a Levin title amendment.

Adopted S.Res.300, a resolution to authorize production of records by the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.1737, the Minimum Wage Fairness Act. (Harkin)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

===================================================

Last Floor Action:
5:12:46 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES –
The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded
to Special Order speeches.

Last Floor Action:11/18
9:46:55 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The
next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on November 19, 2013.

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