Pay Them Back

Floor Speech

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Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the daughter of a Vietnam veteran and the Representative for Oregan's Sixth District, home to nearly 40,000 veterans.

These brave Oregonians served our country, and now I have the great honor of serving them in Congress. They are hardworking people, some of whom carry with them scars both visible and invisible of their service.

Returning to civilian life can be challenging. Mental health problems are all too common, and many veterans struggle to find stable jobs in housing. They put country first and their own comfort second.

As Members of Congress, the least we can do is to show them we care.

That is why I was shocked to see House Republicans proposing $30 billion in cuts to SNAP in their farm bill proposal.

Cutting SNAP was never on the table for Democrats, yet my Republican colleagues have chosen to move forward with this reckless plan and take away up to 2 days' worth of food every month from hungry veterans, kids, and seniors.

Why must my Republican colleagues deprive veterans of food when they fall on hard times? Why the unnecessary cruelty?

Instead, we need to protect SNAP and ensure that those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom will have healthy, nutritious food on the table. It is our job--no, our duty and responsibility to pay them back.

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