Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer my amendment, which would allow SNAP users to purchase multivitamins.

First, I would like to thank Chairman Conaway for his hard work during this farm bill process. H.R. 2 is a bill that will strengthen the farm safety net for America's farmers and ranchers, and give folks on SNAP a path out of poverty with workforce training programs.

The multivitamins can serve as an effective bridge between what Americans should eat and what they actually consume. Repeated studies have shown that Americans do not consume essential nutrients at recommended levels through diet alone. Low-income and older Americans are more likely than others to have insufficient and nutritionally inadequate diets.

Multivitamins are not a replacement for a healthy diet, but these supplements can help fill that nutrient gap. Safe, convenient, and scientifically supported multivitamins represent a low-cost immediate solution for SNAP recipients looking to ensure their families receive adequate intake of essential vitamins and minerals.

It is my hope that by empowering low-income Americans to achieve optimal nutrition, SNAP recipients will develop lifelong habits that will eventually break the cycle of poverty and allow them to reach their full potential.

Mr. Chair, I urge passage of this commonsense, no-cost amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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