News From Congressman Eliot Engel,

Engel Statement on Senate Passing Resolution Protecting Net Neutrality

   “I applaud my colleagues in the Senate for passing a resolution to protect net neutrality today. This vote is a huge victory for the American people, the majority of whom overwhelmingly support maintaining net neutrality. A free and open internet is essential to modern democracy and thus must be protected under any circumstance. Now that the Senate has taken this important step, it is up to the GOP controlled House to follow suit. Leadership must allow the House to vote on this critical resolution, which already has 162 cosponsors, myself included.”  

Engel Speaks in Opposition to GOP Cuts to SNAP in Farm Bill

  Congressman Eliot Engel took to the House floor today to speak in opposition to House Republicans’ proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in their Farm Bill.

“SNAP is a lifeline for 40 million low-income Americans and millions of working families,” Engel said. “It is the most effective anti-hunger program in the country.

“And yet, instead of protecting a successful program like SNAP, this cruel GOP bill would take over $23 billion in benefits away from children, seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and working families struggling to make ends meet.”

Video of Congressman Engel’s remarks can be found at this link. Text of the remarks as prepared for delivery can be found below:

Mr. Speaker,

I rise in opposition to the Rule.

SNAP is a lifeline for 40 million low-income Americans and millions of working families.  It is the most effective anti-hunger program in the country.  It is a proven pathway out of poverty for America’s most vulnerable families. 

And yet, instead of protecting a successful program like SNAP, this cruel GOP bill would take over $23 billion in benefits away from children, seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and working families struggling to make ends meet. 

My colleagues on the other side of the aisle argue that the requirements in this Farm Bill would help people find work.  But if they are really interested in promoting jobs that allow people to care for themselves and their families, then I’d invite them to consider legislation to raise the minimum wage, ensure fair work scheduling, provide paid family and medical leave and paid sick days, and address basic living standards.

Instead, we’re considering a callous Farm Bill that cuts benefits from those who need it most in order to pay for massive handouts to corporations and the top one percent.

I urge my colleagues to vote against this rule.