Date: 2013-09-18
Speaker: BEN RAY LUJAN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: New Mexico

Mr. Speaker. its time for Congress to work together on a commonsense solution to address the impacts of climate change. As we begin Hispanic Heritage Month. its important for us to recognize the impact climate change is disproportionately having upon minority communities across the country. Whether its farmers and ranchers in my home State of New Mexico struggling through devastating drought conditions or communities that are being impacted by recent flooding as a result of more severe weather. millions of Americans have been impacted by the effects of climate change. Released earlier this year. a survey conducted by Public Policy Polling found 74 percent of Latinos believe climate change is a serious or a very serious problem. a higher level than the 65 percent among all American adults. 68 percent of Latinos support the President using his authority to reduce greenhouse gas pollution. including 60 percent of all American adults. 69 percent of Latinos agree with the Presidents statement that "for the sake of our children" and our future. we must do more to combat climate change. compared to 62 percent of all American adults. Combating climate change and preserving our land. water. and air is a top priority for many Americans. especially those in minority communities. For years. a coalition of stakeholders. including Hispanic farmers and ranchers. tribal communities. conservation groups. hunting and fishing organizations. and local governments came together to lay the foundation that led to President Obama establishing the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument earlier this year. This is an example of the type of leadership and advocacy that can make a real difference in addressing climate change and preserving our precious resources. By establishing the Rio Grande del Norte. we have created economic certainty for farmers and ranchers. increased recreation and tourism opportunities. and. most importantly. protected our land. water. and air for future generations. Mr. Speaker. I have also come to the floor today to express my concern for the House Republicans plan to slash funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This program is vital to many in New Mexico. especially our children. Sadly. New Mexico ranks near the bottom when it comes to childhood wellbeing and ranked worst in childhood hunger. The Republican plan to cut $40 billion from the SNAP program caters to the most extreme views. Earlier this year. they tried to cut $20 billion. only to have the Tea Party revolt. So the new plan goes even further at a time when many communities are still struggling from a slow economy. even including a provision that prevents high unemployment areas from receiving additional assistance. Today we have 47 million Americans living in poverty. And while we should be doing more to address the root causes. we should not turn our backs on those struggling to make ends meet by cutting benefits that help put food on the table for working families. I believe we all share the goal of seeing a stronger economy that creates jobs and reduces the need for this kind of assistance. But until that time. lets not make the most vulnerable among us pay the steepest price.