Representative Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement about her vote in opposition to  H.R. 3102, the Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act of 2013, which will remove $40 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the next decade.

An estimated four to six million low-income Americans, of whom many are low-income children, seniors, and the disabled, will lose their food assistance as a result of H.R. 3102, in addition to a reduction in benefits already scheduled to occur in November.

“Our food assistance program constitutes a promise to the families and children of America that every person would have the opportunity to eat,” said Representative Clarke. “These reductions in SNAP violate that promise, out commitment that we will not allow children, senior citizens, and people with disabilities to starve.”

SNAP, often referred to as the food stamp program, provides assistance to more than forty seven million Americans – almost two-thirds of the people enrolled are children, senior citizens, or persons with disabilities.

Representative Clarke continued: “I am particularly concerned that the elimination of food assistance will prevent many children from obtaining adequate nutrition for their physical development and academic achievement. Studies have demonstrated that children who enter the classroom without a proper breakfast or lunch have difficulty concentrating on their lessons.” 
 

U.S. Representative Yvette D. Clarke is a member of the House Committee on Small Business, Ethics, and Homeland Security, where she is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies. She represents many neighborhoods in central and southern Brooklyn, NY which include Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Gerritsen Beach, Madison, Midwood, parts of Park Slope and Flatlands, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Sheepshead Bay, and Windsor Terrace.