FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: APRIL 23, 2002
CONTACT: LINDA MACIAS/PAUL TODD (202) 225-6161

House passes Baca motion to restore food stamp benefits legal permanent residents

WASHINGTON - Today, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed by a vote of 244-171 a motion made my Rep. Joe Baca (D-Rialto) to instruct House conferees to restore food stamp benefits to legal permanent residents (LPR's).

"Today we made history," Baca said. "We put partisan politics aside because this was about feeding hungry children in our country. We've voted to correct an injustice."

"I want to commend my colleagues from the Inland Empire Congressman Lewis, Congresswoman Bono, and Congressman Dreier for voting to provide much needed nutritional support to hard working legal permanent residents back home."

"Hard working, tax paying legal permanent residents deserve our respect and tonight they know who stands with them - they are watching! We've shown Latinos and other tax paying legal permanent residents that we stand with them."

"The House of Representatives for one is the House for all. The conferees should heed the word of the majority of the people's representatives and support full restoration. Let's put the partisanship aside and agree that there are kids starving, and that we can help. Let's feed these kids."

"The time has come for Congress to ensure that all legal residents are eligible for food stamps, and the conferees hold that power now," said Baca. "This vote a clear message to the conferees that the final Farm Bill should include nutritional assistance for hard working, tax paying legal permanent residents and their children."

"We ask members of the armed forces to defend our nation, and some of them don't even qualify for food stamps for their families. They can defend and die for our country, but we don't take care of them the same as we do other American patriots. The House has come together to change this, and I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support. Legal permanent residents thank you."

"When tax days rolls around, as it just did, nobody questions whether residents are legal or not. This is about equality, fairness, and justice. This is about feeding our hungry children. This is about individuals who are taxpayers who deserve the same rights as American citizens."

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