SNAP | Be a Seed for Change

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

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 stands in adjournment until 10:00am on Tuesday, May 21, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business for one hour with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.
Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.954, the Farm bill.
The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
At 12:00 noon today the Senate will observe a moment of silence to honor the victims of the tornado in Oklahoma.

Following the moment of silence at noon, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote in relation to Cantwell amendment #919 (tribal participation in soil and water conservation programs).

Following the votes Senator Gillibrand will be recognized and intends to offer amendment #931 (restore SNAP cuts with offset).

The managers of the bill are also working on a Sessions amendment #945, but there may be an additional modification. If that modification is agreeable to both sides, it is their intention to adopt that amendment, as modified, prior to the caucus meetings.

12:01pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Cantwell amendment #919 (tribal participation in soil and water conservation programs);Agreed To: 87-8

Cantwell amendment #919 was agreed to 87-8.

Senator Gillibrand offered amendment #931 (SNAP funding). The Sessions amendment #945 (eligibility criteria for agriculture irrigation assistance), as modified, was agreed to.

Following Senator Gillibrand’s statement, the Senate will recess until 2:15pm. After the lunch we will continue to process amendments to the Farm bill.

Senator Sanders asked unanimous consent to set aside the pending amendment in order to call up amendments #963 (CFTC investigation on energy futures and swaps markets) and #964 (CFTC regulation of energy markets). Senator Stabenow said there is an objection to setting aside the pending amendment.

Senator Roberts has called up amendment #948 (SNAP). We are working on an agreement to have a couple votes this afternoon in relation to the Gillibrand and Roberts amendments. Senators will be notified when any votes are scheduled.

The following amendments are pending to S.954, the Farm bill:

Leahy amendment #998 (gigabit Internet pilot program)

The following amendments have been considered to S.954, the Farm bill:

Cantwell amendment #919 (Indian tribes – land and soil conservation programs) Agreed to: 87-8
Sessions amendment #945, as modified (eligibility criteria for agriculture irrigation assistance) Agreed to by unanimous consent
Roberts amendment #948 (SNAP) Not Agreed to: 40-58
Gillibrand amendment #931 (SNAP funding) Not Agreed to: 26-70

4:07pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Roberts amendment #948 (SNAP);

Not Agreed To: 40-58

4:35pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Gillibrand amendment #931 (SNAP);

Not Agreed To: 26-70

Senator Murray asked unanimous consent to proceed to H.Con.Res.25, that the amendment which is at the desk, the text of S.Con.Res.8, the budget resolution passed by the Senate, be inserted in lieu thereof; that H.Con.Res.25, as amended, be agreed to; the motion to reconsider be made and laid upon the table; that the Senate insist on its amendment, request a conference with the House on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses; and the Chair be authorized to appoint conferees. This is the long way of saying she asked to go to conference on the Budget resolution.

Senator Paul asked that Murray modify her request to make it not in order to consider any conference report that includes reconciliation instructions to raise the debt limit. Senator McCain objected to Paul’s request.

Senator McCain then asked that the original Murray request be modified so that 2 motions to instruct conferees be in order, one related to the debt limit and the other related to taxes. Senator Paul objected to the modification. Senator Paul then objected to Murray’s original request.

Following the period of morning business, the Senate resumed consideration of the Farm bill and Senator Stabenow called up Leahy amendment #998 (rural broadband).

The Senate is now in a period of morning business until 6:30pm with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. There will be no further roll call votes tonight.

Tomorrow the Senate will resume consideration of the Farm bill and continue to process amendments.

As a reminder, at 4pm on Wednesday, May 22, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of Calendar #43, S.Res.65, resolution strongly supporting the full implementation of United States and international sanctions on Iran and urging the President to continue to strengthen enforcement of sanctions legislation.

There will be 60 minutes for debate equally divided and controlled in the usual form. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote in relation to the resolution. If the resolution is agreed to, the preamble will be agreed to. The motions to reconsider will be considered made and laid upon the table, all with no intervening action or debate.

This evening Senator Reid filed cloture on Executive Calendar #95, the nomination of Srikanth Srinivasan, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit. Unless an agreement can be reached, the cloture vote would occur 1 hour after the Senate convenes on Thursday.
WRAP UP
ROLL CALL VOTES1) Roberts amendment #948 (SNAP) to S.954, the Farm bill; Not Agreed to: 40-58
2) Gillibrand amendment #931 (SNAP funding); Not Agreed to: 26-70

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.45, the Repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.1003, the Comprehensive Student Loan Protection Act. (Coburn)

Began the Rule 14 process of S.1004, the Anti-Trust Freedom Act. (Paul)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Watch Live House Floor Proceedings

Last Floor Action: 5/20
10:42:42 A.M. – The Speaker announced
that the House do now recess.

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 12:00 P.M.
today.

10:00:12 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:20 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Daniel Webster to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:42 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
10:42:42 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

12:00:52 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 21.
12:01:12 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Pastor Mark Turner, South Valley Community Church, Gilroy, California.
12:02:59 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:03:02 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Cartwright to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:03:23 P.M.		The Speaker recognized Ms. Zoe Lofgren for the purpose of introducing the guest Chaplain.
12:04:30 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.
12:34:13 P.M.		The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on May 21, 2013 at 9:45 a.m. stating that that body had passed S. 309.
12:35:28 P.M.	H.R. 1412	Mr. Miller (FL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1412 — “To improve and increase the availability of on-job training and apprenticeship programs carried out by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.”
12:35:46 P.M.	H.R. 1412	Considered under suspension of the rules.
12:35:48 P.M.	H.R. 1412	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1412.
12:48:22 P.M.	H.R. 1412	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
12:49:03 P.M.	H.R. 570	Mr. Miller (FL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 570 — “To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for annual cost-of-living adjustments to be made automatically by law each year in the rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain service-connected disabled veterans.”
12:49:06 P.M.	H.R. 570	Considered under suspension of the rules.
12:49:09 P.M.	H.R. 570	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 570.
1:03:27 P.M.	H.R. 570	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
1:03:31 P.M.	H.R. 570	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:03:34 P.M.	H.R. 570	The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
1:04:29 P.M.	H.R. 324	Mr. Cotton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 324 — “To grant the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the First Special Service Force, in recognition of its superior service during World War II.”
1:04:56 P.M.	H.R. 324	Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:04:58 P.M.	H.R. 324	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 324.
1:17:35 P.M.	H.R. 324	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
1:18:28 P.M.	H.R. 1344	Mrs. Brooks (IN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1344 — “To amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) to provide expedited air passenger screening to severely injured or disabled members of the Armed Forces and severely injured or disabled veterans, and for other purposes.”
1:19:00 P.M.	H.R. 1344	Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:19:03 P.M.	H.R. 1344	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1344.
1:48:53 P.M.	H.R. 1344	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
1:50:01 P.M.	S. 982	Mr. Shuster moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 982 — “To prohibit the Corps of Engineers from taking certain actions to establish a restricted area prohibiting public access to waters downstream of a dam, and for other purposes.”
1:50:16 P.M.	S. 982	Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:50:18 P.M.	S. 982	<DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 982.
2:10:51 P.M.	S. 982	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
2:10:54 P.M.	S. 982	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:12:25 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 16	Mrs. Miller (MI) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. S. Con. Res. 16 — “Authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for the unveiling of a statue of Frederick Douglass.”
2:12:29 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 16	Considered under suspension of the rules.
2:12:34 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 16	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. Con. Res. 16.
2:22:19 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 16	On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
2:22:21 P.M.	S. Con. Res. 16	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:23:47 P.M.		Mr. Grayson was recognized by the Chair to offer a resolution.
2:24:41 P.M.		The resolution was reported and the Chair recognized Mr. Grayson for the purpose of presenting argument to support the privileged status of the resolution.
2:24:42 P.M.		Upon examination of the resolution, the Chair determined that the resolution offered by Mr. Grayson does not qualify as a question of the privileges of the House.
2:33:30 P.M.	H.R. 1412	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1412 — “To improve and increase the availability of on-job training and apprenticeship programs carried out by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.”
2:59:37 P.M.	H.R. 1412	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 416 – 0 (Roll no. 164).
2:59:38 P.M.	H.R. 1412	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:59:51 P.M.	H.R. 324	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 324 — “To grant the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the First Special Service Force, in recognition of its superior service during World War II.”
3:07:50 P.M.	H.R. 324	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 415 – 0 (Roll no. 165).
3:07:51 P.M.	H.R. 324	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:08:03 P.M.	H.R. 1344	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1344 — “To amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) to provide expedited air passenger screening to severely injured or disabled members of the Armed Forces and severely injured or disabled veterans, and for other purposes.”
3:14:46 P.M.	H.R. 1344	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 – 0 (Roll no. 166).
3:14:47 P.M.	H.R. 1344	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:16:25 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
3:24:04 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
3:55:56 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
5:03:56 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 21.
5:04:20 P.M.		Mr. Webster (FL) filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 228.
5:04:21 P.M.		The House received a communication from Jim Costa, Member of Congress. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Congressman Costa notified the House that he had been served a subpoena for documents issued by the California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, regarding a third-party workers’ compensation matter. After consultation with the Office of General Counsel, he has determined that compliance with the subpoena is consistent with the privileges and rights of the House.
5:05:55 P.M.		Mr. Webster (FL) moved that the House do now adjourn.
5:05:57 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
5:05:58 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on May 22, 2013.