Ending hunger. whether among legal residents or anybody else. should remain a national responsibility. It cannot be done on a piecemeal basis. As of today. only three states have provided full eligibility for legal immigrants. A total of eleven states are providing coupons or the equivalent for some or all legal immigrants. Two states have set up independent programs to serve some of the legal immigrant population. But each of these thirteen states has the option and ability to change or terminate these commendable efforts at any time. Thats not good enough. In my own state of Minnesota. food stamp cuts have had a major impact on our immigrant communities. While the state has offered temporary and partial food assistance for legal immigrants to make up for the loss of federal benefits. it has not been enough. Food banks have experienced a noticeable increase in demand for their services. especially in the Hmong and Somali communities. In fact. all across this nation the need for food assistance is on the rise. especially among immigrants. We can alleviate at least some of this problem by passing the bill I offer today. I believe we have a responsibility to both the children suffering under this new law who are American citizens. and to the legal immigrants who lost coverage. If we reinstate food stamp eligibility. these immigrants will once again be able to provide adequate nutrition for themselves and for their children. I believe this is what we must do to meet our responsibility. and it is the right thing to do. Mr.
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