The battle over food stamps turned a corner yesterday, after House Republicans vowed to cut the food stamp program by $40 billion across 10 years. Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) decided to break down that hypocrisy on the House floor, using three food groups her Republican constituents might be used to.
She explained that in her district, there are roughly 4,000 families on food stamps, then took aim at her colleagues:
“Yet, they somehow feel like crusaders, like heroes when they vote to cut food stamps. Some of these same members travel to foreign countries under the guise of official business.” She added that they “dine at lavish restaurants, eating steak, vodka and even caviar,” then held up a plate of steak, a bottle of vodka, and a jar of caviar.
Then Speier got even more specific:
“One member was given $127.41 a day for food on his trip to Argentina. He probably had a fair amount of steak. Another member was given $3,588 for food and lodging during a six-day trip to Russia. He probably drank a fair amount of vodka and probably even had some caviar. That particular member has 21,000 food stamp recipients in his district. One of those people who is on food stamps could live a year on what this congressman spent on food and lodging for six days.”
Burn notice! The House approved the measure yesterday.
H/T Gawker | Screengrab via Jackie Speier/YouTube
