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Hunger Fast 2011

Floor Speech

Date: March 31, 2011
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Unemployed and Low-Income Entitlements and the Safety Net

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the efforts of our former colleague, Tony Hall; Reverend David Beckman; Reverend Jim Wallis; Mark Bittman; and more than 6,000 people across the country as they take part in a hunger fast to protest the draconian cuts to programs that affect the hungry and the most vulnerable in America and around the world.

The Republican plan, H.R. 1, would decimate what is now being called the Circle of Protection--the programs that protect the hungry and the most vulnerable here at home and around the world. I urge my colleagues to show that America doesn't turn its back on people in need, to have a heart, and to resist cutting these lifesaving programs. Please go to www.hungerfast.org for more information.

Protecting Programs for Low-Income People: A Circle of Protection

DOMESTIC

Food assistance.

SNAP, the supplemental nutrition assistance program (formerly food stamps), helps more than 43 million Americans put food on the table every month.

The National School Lunch Program serves 20.4 million low-income children.

The School Breakfast Program serves 9.7 million low-income children.

Tax credits and income support.

In 2009, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) lifted an estimated 6.6 million people out of poverty, including about 3.3 million children.

In 2009, the Child Tax Credit (CTC) lifted an estimated 2.3 million people out of poverty, including about 1.3 million children.

In the 2007 tax year (the most recent year for which we have data), nearly 25 million working families and individuals received the EITC.

Low-income child care and early education.

Low-income health care.

Low-income education and training.

Preventing child maltreatment.

INTERNATIONAL

International food assistance and emergency response.

More than 30 million people receive assistance from USAID's Food for Peace program (P.L. 480 Title II).

The McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program serves 5 million of the world's poorest children.

Sustainable international development.

42 million African children went to school for the first time between 1999 and 2007, thanks in part to debt relief and development assistance for education.

Global health.

International poverty-focused financial services.

International refugee assistance and post-conflict support.


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