The Serrano Report, Vol. X, #22

On Capitol Hill

Serrano Denounces Harsh SNAP Cuts

On Thursday, Congressman Serrano denounced the harsh funding cuts for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that House Republicans voted to enact. After failing to pass a bill with smaller cuts to the program in July, House Republicans enacted even deeper cuts to secure the support of most of their members. Serrano voted against the bill along with Democratic colleagues.

“Cutting $40 billion in food stamps while refusing to cut agricultural subsidies to millionaires is unconscionable,” said Serrano. “The cuts to the SNAP program represent one of the cruelest visions of government that we have seen in generations. People are suffering in this economy, and one of the principal lifelines that we extend to them is food and nutrition assistance. Cutting back on that assistance will leave people without food and without hope. I find that idea repugnant and repulsive.

Currently, 47 million people rely on SNAP.  Over 92% of people on SNAP are children, the elderly, disabled, or working families below the poverty line.  SNAP recipients currently receive $1.40 per meal. Despite these facts, the GOP bill will cut off food benefits from nearly 4 million Americans next year, doing particular harm to children, seniors, veterans, Native Americans, and Americans living in communities with high unemployment. This bill comes at a time when one in five children (16 million) struggle with hunger, a record-high.  SNAP is a proven poverty-reduction program, lifting 4 million people out of poverty in 2012.

“When you consider the facts of the situation—the record numbers of people in need—this effort to cut SNAP becomes legislatively immoral. I stand with my community in saying that these cuts are wrong. I stand as their representative in voting NO on this shameful bill. We cannot take food from the mouths of the least among us. That is not the way that our nation has acted in the past, and not the way we should act now.”

The Bronx

Serrano Attends MASA Celebration

Last weekend, Congressman Serrano attended the first annual MASA (Mexican American Student Association) celebration. MASA’s mission is to transform communities through education and strives to educate the community about health, education, social services, and other important issues. "I had a wonderful time speaking to all in attendance and being part of this great event," said Serrano. "There was a lot of good information available and MASA is doing a great job of helping inform our community about these important issue."

Serrano with kids at the Mexican American Student Association Celebration

Serrano Announces Grant for Highbridge Community Life Center

This week, Congressman Serrano announced that the Highbridge Community Life Center had been awarded $250,000 to help legal permanent residents with the naturalization process. The grant came through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

“I am so pleased that a Bronx organization with a track record like the Highbridge Community Life Center has been awarded federal money to help Bronx residents pursue citizenship,” said Serrano. “Too often people who are moving through the immigration system feel confused, overwhelmed and lost. This sort of hands-on programming will help them navigate the system. I can’t think of a better use of federal funding.

“I cannot miss the opportunity to say that it’s time for comprehensive immigration reform in Washington.  If a good immigration reform bill were passed, it would mean that there would be thousands of newly eligible residents in the Bronx who would need help navigating the immigration system. The expertise and the capacity that this grant will build will prepare us for the day that we achieve comprehensive immigration reform.”

“We are honored to receive funding from the Department of Homeland Security.” said Gary Calnek, Board Chair of the Highbridge Community Life Center. “The Citizenship and Service Integration grant will allow Highbridge Community Life Center to meet the growing need in our Bronx community for immigration services.”