Statement of the Honorable John Conyers, Jr. for the Hearing on the “Federal Government on Autopilot: Mandatory Spending and the Entitlement Crisis”

Dean of the U.S. House
of Representatives
John Conyers, Jr.

Once again, in its 7^th hearing to date, this Task Force is considering old wine in new bottles.

Unfortunately, today’s hearing is just the latest in a decades-old line of attack by conservatives on America’s longstanding commitments to aid the elderly and the poor. 

As we consider the arguments made today, we should keep a few points in mind.

To begin with, efforts to curb “mandatory spending” and stopping the so-called “entitlement crisis” are really intended to slash programs, such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

These programs comprise the great majority of mandatory spending in the federal budget.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, Medicare and Medicaid alone made up 40 percent of all mandatory spending in fiscal year 2015.

And, Social Security, Medicare, and the federal share of Medicaid – the largest mandatory spending programs – comprised 50.6% of all federal spending.

The budget deficit and the future solvency of the trusts that fund Social Security and Medicare are important issues that merit discussion.

But instead of putting forth a serious proposal that would help raise revenue, the Majority proposes to funnel these and other important social safety net programs through the annual appropriations process, a process that often becomes mired in partisan division.

And while the Majority may protest that they would leave Social Security and Medicare alone, keep in mind that the other important social safety net programs such as Food Stamps (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) only account for approximately 10 percent of mandatory spending.

If the Majority’s plan for reducing the federal deficit relies on cuts alone, you cannot do so simply by cutting funding for these other important social safety net programs through the appropriations process. 

Subjecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid recipients to an annual appropriations process threatens to harm the basic economic well-being of seniors and working people in need.

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, without any government income assistance, either from safety net programs or programs like Social Security, the Nation’s poverty rate would have been 27% in 2014, almost double the recorded rate of 15%.

Imagine the harm it would do to the most vulnerable members of our society if the funding for these programs were held hostage to yearly budget negotiations or benefits were withheld because of a government shutdown.

Unfortunately, given the Majority’s track record, this scenario is entirely possible, if not likely.

Finally, Mandatory spending provisions are not an historical accident whereby Congress gave away too much power to the Executive.  Rather, they reflect Congress’ commitment to the American people to care for the elderly after a lifetime of hard work and to aid the working poor.

Mandatory spending for programs like Social Security and Medicare is based on the need to ensure stability in these and other vital programs so that the most vulnerable in our society can be assured of minimum income levels to meet their basic human needs.

Proposing to subject these and other programs to the annual appropriations process is not a serious proposal. 

It is merely another attempt to denigrate the working poor and the elderly as undeserving “takers,” something with which I will not abide. 

Nevertheless, I look forward to hearing from our witnesses today and I thank them for their participation.

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Conyers to Join with Anti-Hunger Advocates for Cooking Matters at the Store Grocery Tour this Wednesday

(DETROIT) – This Wednesday, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) will join Share Our Strength, an anti-hunger advocacy organization, and representatives from Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan at an informational workshop event - Cooking Matters at the Store grocery tour - at 1:00 pm at the Farmer John Market. As part of Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, Cooking Matters teaches low-income families how to best maximize federal nutrition assistance benefits, such as SNAP and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) programs, by purchasing fresh produce and whole grains on a budget. Cooking Matters has reached nearly 10,000 participants in 2012 alone with interactive grocery store tours, and has helped low-income families across the nation learn to shop and prepare healthy affordable meals. This tour comes on the heels of a $5 billion reduction in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) this past Friday, November 1^st as provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 expired.

Prior to the grocery store tour, Rep. Conyers will deliver brief remarks. Press are invited to cover the event and join in on the grocery store tour.

Further information about the event is detailed below:

What:	Share Our Strength’s Cooking Matters at the Store grocery tour
Who:	Ø  Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) Ø  Rohini Foulkes – Cooking Matters coordinator, Gleaners Community Food Bank Ø  Sarah Mills – Cooking Matters Program Manager, Gleaners Community Food Bank Ø  Michigan families
When:	Wednesday, November 6th, 1:00 p.m.
Where:	Farmer John Market 9731 Harper Avenue Detroit, MI 48213

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Conyers Calls for Immediate Consideration of his Extend – Not Cut – SNAP Legislation

(DETROIT) – Today, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is scheduled to be reduced dramatically due to the expiration of funding provisions in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009. This will make it increasingly difficult for millions of Americans to put food on the table; children in particular will suffer as nearly half of all SNAP benefits go towards feeding low-income youth. In reaction to this reduction in nutrition assistance benefits, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued the following statement: 

U.S. Representative
John Conyers, Jr.

“Beginning today, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP – will be drastically reduced by $5 billion for fiscal year 2014 as the temporary boost provided by the Recovery Act of 2009 expires. This reduction will hit millions of our least fortunate friends, family members, and neighbors, including 1,775,000 SNAP recipients in Michigan alone. At a time when millions of Americans are still struggling in the aftermath of the Great Recession, this reduction is both callous and counterproductive,” said Conyers.

“Last month, I participated in the SNAP challenge, living on a bare-bones diet of $1.50 per meal. The experience was shocking; I cannot imagine a further reduction of $36 a month for an average family of four. And unfortunately, the reduction today in nutrition assistance benefits comes on the heels of the Republican Majority in the House passing legislation with $40 billion in additional cuts to the SNAP program.

“The irony is that as we approach Thanksgiving, a holiday celebrating the bounty of our great Nation, individuals at the bottom of the economic ladder are being denied even less than a decent meal. Fortunately, there is an easy way to fix this problem. H.R. 3353, the ‘Extend Not Cut SNAP Benefits Act,’ provides a one year extension of the 13 percent benefits increase found in the Recovery Act. With 46 co-sponsors already, momentum is building, but it is crucial that we act swiftly to assist those most in need.”

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Conyers, Congressional Colleagues, and Advocates Call to Extend - Not Cut - SNAP Benefits

(WASHINGTON) – Today, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) hosted a press conference with Congressional and outside advocates on the upcoming reduction in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits this Friday, November 1^st. On that day, the temporary benefit boost provided for in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 stimulus is scheduled to expire and households across the country participating in SNAP will see their monthly benefit sharply reduced. This substantial reduction on November 1^st will leave many Americans unsure of how they will put food on the table, and will aggravate the problem of hunger in our nation, making it that much harder for millions of Americans—fathers and mothers, children, veterans and active duty military, to provide for their loved ones. At the press conference, Rep. Conyers delivered the following statement:

U.S. Representative
John Conyers, Jr.

“It is with great urgency that my colleague Representative Barbara Lee and I join with fellow Democrats and representatives from Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), Share Our Strength, Feeding America, and United Way for Southeastern Michigan to discuss an important concern.  On Friday, November 1^st, households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will see their monthly benefit sharply reduced. The temporary benefit boost provided for in the 2009 Recovery Act is scheduled to expire, leaving many Americans unsure of how they will put food on the table.  This cut will severely aggravate the problem of both hunger and economic growth in our Nation.

“The SNAP benefit increase provided in the Recovery Act passed in the depths of the Great Recession to provide an increase in benefits through Fiscal Year 2016.  However, the funding increase was quickly reduced while a portion of it was used to cover the cost of education jobs and Medicaid and the reauthorization of Child Nutrition programs. As a result, beginning on November 1, 2013, SNAP funding will be reduced by approximately $5 billion for FY 2014.  Additionally, a family of four will lose up to $36 a month and an average benefit per person, per meal will drop to less than $1.40.  Instead of purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables parents will have to choose cheaper and less healthy food options that lack nutritional value. In my home state of Michigan, $183 Million will be cut from SNAP benefits causing 1,775,000 SNAP recipients to be impacted and parents wondering if they’ll have enough benefits left over near the end of the month for Thanksgiving. This is heartless! SNAP is designed to help eliminate hunger but this cut will only increase it.  

“I am urging my colleagues to avoid exacerbating hunger in our Nation and to join your colleagues in supporting H.R. 3353, the ‘Extend Not Cut SNAP Benefits Act.’ This bill provides for a one year extension of the 13% benefits increase contained in the Recovery Act through the 2014 Fiscal Year. Without an extension of the 2009 Recovery Act’s temporary boost to SNAP, our economy will be worse off and our children will face a hunger that they do not deserve.”
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Conyers Announces Extend - Don’t Cut - SNAP Benefits Press Conference

(WASHINGTON) – On November 1^st, the temporary benefit boost provided for in the 2009 American Reinvestment and Recovery Act is scheduled to expire and households across the country participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will see their monthly benefit sharply reduced. This substantial reduction on November 1^st will leave many Americans unsure of how they will put food on the table, and will aggravate the problem of hunger in our nation, making it that much harder for millions of Americans—fathers and mothers, children, veterans and active duty military, to provide for their loved ones.

In response to this upcoming cutback, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) will be holding a press conference at 1:00 pm this Tuesday, October 29^th in the House Triangle. Rep. Conyers will be joined by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Congressman Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), and representatives from prominent anti-hunger groups including the Food Research Action Center and Share Our Strength.

Further information about the event is detailed below:

What:	Extend – Don’t Cut – SNAP Benefits Press Conference
Who:	Ø  Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) Ø  Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) Ø  Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) (Invited) Ø  Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) Ø  Congressman Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) Ø  Congressman Rush Holt (D- N.J.) (Invited) Ø  Congressman Ted Deutch (D- Fl.) (Invited) Ø  James Weill, President, Food Research Action Center (FRAC) Ø  Thomas C. Neslon, President, Share Our Strength Ø  John Sayles, CEO, Vermont Foodbank and Chair of the Feeding America Policy Engagement and Advocacy Committee Ø  Constituent from United Way for Southeastern Michigan
When:	Tuesday, October 29th, 1:00 p.m.
Where:	House Triangle

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Congressman Conyers Argues to Extend, Not Cut, Nutrition Assistance Benefits

(WASHINGTON) – Today, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) went to the House Floor to discuss his legislation H.R. 3108, the “Extend Not Cut SNAP Benefits Act.” This legislation comes on the heels of House Republicans voting to cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program by $40 billion. He said:

U.S. Representative
John Conyers, Jr.

“On November 1^st, households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will see their monthly benefit sharply reduced.  The temporary benefit boost provided for in the 2009 American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) is scheduled to expire next month, leaving many American’s unsure of how they will put food on the table.  The November 1^st cut will aggravate the problem of hunger in our nation, and make it that much harder for millions of Americans—fathers and mothers, children, veterans and active duty military to provide for their loved ones.

“The benefit increase passed in the depths of the Great Recession has provided Americans—both directly and indirectly—with substantial benefits.  Low-income families who face unemployment and underemployment are provided a critical way to bridge the financial barriers they face.  Americans who are employed in adequate paying jobs are able to remain so because of the boost to the economy; $9 are added to the GDP for every $5 in SNAP benefits that the program provides.

“These cuts will come at a moment when Americans are ill-prepared to afford them.  The loss of SNAP will not just mean empty tables for Thanksgiving for millions; it will mean a weaker economy, even as the effects of our prolonged shutdown and debt ceiling brinksmanship continues to erode economic progress.  This cut in benefits simply pushes the American economy into a vicious cycle which we cannot afford at this time.

“I am urging my colleagues to avoid exacerbating the effects of this government shutdown and the potential default of government debts—by calling on them to support H.R. 3108, the ‘Extend Not Cut SNAP Benefits Act.’  H.R. 3108 provides for a one year extension of the 13% benefits increase contained in ARRA through the 2014 Fiscal Year.

“In 2011, SNAP lifted 4.7 million Americans above the poverty line, including 2.1 million children.  Without an extension of the 2009 Recovery Act’s temporary boost to SNAP, our economy will be worse off and our children will face hunger they certainly do not deserve.”

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Conyers: $40 Billion Cut to Food Assistance Program Unconscionable

(WASHINGTON) – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 217 - 210 to pass H.R. 3102, the “Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act.” This legislation would cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by $40 billion amongst other drastic changes. Following the House vote, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued the following statement:

U.S. Representative
John Conyers, Jr.

“For decades, House Republicans and Democrats have always worked together to pass a bipartisan farm bill that addressed the needs of farmers and ranchers as well as provided funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program.  However, after failure to pass the Farm Bill in June, House Republicans have taken an about-face and stripped the nutrition title from the farm bill with H.R. 3102, the so-called ‘Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act.’ They have instead introduced this separate nutrition bill that essentially takes all of the controversial amendments offered during the farm bill debate earlier this year, added an additional $20 billion cut to SNAP, which would amount to $40 billion in cuts over the next ten years.  The brunt of these immoral and unconscionable cuts would be borne by the most vulnerable - low-income families with children, senior citizens and disabled veterans,” said Conyers.

“Four to six million people will lose SNAP benefits if this bill were to become law. It would also cause hundreds of thousands of children to lose access to free school lunches.  Additionally, another 1.7 million people in 850,000 households would see their benefits reduced by an average of $90 month. Low-income Americans are already struggling to put food on their tables and will automatically face an across-the-board cut to their SNAP benefits come November 1st.  The expiration of the 2009 Recovery Act’s temporary boost to SNAP will result in a benefit cut for every SNAP household.

“The cut to SNAP outlined in this bill would include the following provisions: the elimination of categorical eligibility, an incentive for states to cut people off the SNAP program, and a state waiver that eliminates a Governors’ option to temporarily waive SNAP’s harsh three-month time limit for childless unemployed adults in areas with high unemployment.  As a result of the state waiver, unemployed, childless adults would be thrown off SNAP regardless of how high the unemployment rate is where they live and regardless of how hard they are trying to find work or job. It is unconscionable to think that Congress would support these provisions and pass such a devastating bill considering our slow economy.

“I implore my colleagues to consider the impact of this bill.  Nutrition funding is vitally important to the Farm Bill. It connects our food system with those who struggle with hunger in our own backyard.  If we fail to provide adequate funding for food assistance then we will have failed to protect the most vulnerable in America. But we cannot fail them and must do everything we can to help lift them from the grips of poverty.

“Over the last thirty years, every major deficit reduction packaged signed into law has always been negotiated according to the principle of not increasing poverty or inequality.  We must not turn from this tradition now.  Investing in hunger relief is a fiscally sound decision. It is a cost-effective and an investment in our nation’s future. 

“Therefore, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3108, the ‘Extend Not Cut SNAP Benefits Act,’ a one-year extension of the 13% benefit increase through Fiscal Year 2014. SNAP benefits are the critical bridge during difficult economic times that helps to safeguard these families from facing hunger. Not only does SNAP help put food on the table for struggling families, it also helps stimulate economic growth. For every $1 increase in SNAP benefits, $1.70 in generated in economic activity. In 2011, SNAP lifted 4.7 million Americans above the poverty line, including 2.1 million children. Without SNAP, our economy would be worse off.”

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House Rules Committee Rejects Conyers Amendment Extending Food Assistance Program for an Additional Year

(WASHINGTON) – Yesterday, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) offered an amendment to H.R. 3102, the “Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act,” providing a one year extension of the 13.6 percent increase in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits included in the 2009 American Recovery and Restoration Act.  However, Republican Members of the House Rules Committee defeated the amendment by a vote of 3-9. Upon learning of the amendment’s defeat, Rep. Conyers issued the following statement: 

U.S. Representative
John Conyers, Jr.

“Today, the U.S. House of Representatives is voting on H.R. 3102, the so-called ‘Nutrition and Work Opportunity Act.’ This bill is dually immoral and will cause severe trauma to low-income Americans if it were to become law. At a time when Americans are already struggling to put food on their tables in the aftermath of the Great Recession, this legislation would cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by a $40 billion. This is cruel and simply unacceptable,” said Conyers.

“To prevent this cut I offered an amendment to the ‘Nutrition and Work Opportunity Act’ that would substitute these massive cuts with a one year extension of the 13.6 increase in SNAP benefits included in the 2009 American Recovery and Restoration Act.  Unfortunately, Republican Congressmen on the House Rules Committee rejected my amendment, denying critical funding for assistance to millions in our country. 

“According to a report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the scheduled cut would result in a reduction in benefits of $36 per month for a family of four. The cut will mean $5 billion less in SNAP benefits to help feed American families in fiscal year 2014 alone, a serious loss for families whose benefits will, after this cut, average less than $1.40 per person, per meal.  These cuts would cause hardship for SNAP participants, including 22 million children and 9 million people who are elderly or have a serious disability. It is unconscionable to think Congress would support such a devastating cut considering the painfully slow economic recovery. Rather than pursue divisive, ideological measures, I urge my colleagues to come together and support the working men and women of this country.”

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The Impact of Sequestration on Women, Children and Families

(WASHINGTON) – This afternoon, Representative John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued the following statement on the devastating impact that automatic end of year budget cuts, mandated by the Budget Control Act of 2011, would have on women, children and families:

“I rise today as the voice for millions of women, children and low income families to urge my colleagues to work towards a balanced approach to deficit reduction that does not include deeper cuts to programs designed to promote and protect the health of women and children,” said Conyers.

“By eliminating nearly one billion dollars in federal funding, if implemented, this 8.2 percent across the board cut would drastically hinder access to critical health care services delivered to mothers and babies in need, stunt the impact and development of prevention initiatives, reduce vital funding for medical research, and disproportionately impact low-income and uninsured families. 

“Additionally, it would significantly reduce funding for critical programs important to the development of children such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC),  the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant, the Section 317 Immunization Program, the Children’s Hospital Graduate Medical Education program, the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Visitation Program, the Prevention and Public Health Fund, Safe Motherhood, and the National Institutes Child Health and Human Development.  In Michigan alone these cuts would result in 20,700 mothers and young children being cut from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and over $1 million cut from the Children’s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education program, which the state relies heavily on to train its next generation of pediatricians. 

“Playing a game of chicken with budget sequestration is despicable and we must work toward a fair and plausible resolution of this issue that does not trade away the health and well being of our children.

“Furthermore, children depend on healthy moms and millions of women rely on federally funded programs like Title X Family Planning for basic health and prenatal care.  However, this looming budget sequestration would jeopardize the health of these women by inhibiting access to critical health services, thereby increasing the risk of life-threatening cancer and other diseases that could have been prevented by health screenings offered through Title X services.  In Michigan, 2,700 fewer women will be screened for cancer as a result of the sequestration’s cut of over $712,800 from the Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program.

“Lastly, women’s health would not only be impacted, but also women’s economic well-being.  These automatic cuts will create overwhelming job loss at a time when both men and women struggle to find work due to no fault of their own. Moreover, sequestration cuts coupled with the persistent gender wage gap is a recipe for disaster that middle and lower income families cannot afford.  Therefore, I will not casually stand by while my colleagues threaten unbearable sacrifices that disproportionately impact the well being of children, women and their families.  I urge that with compassionate hearts, we work together to alleviate current suffering and pursue a legislative solution that does not target non-defense discretionary programs for additional cuts.”

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