John LaFerla, Candidate for Congress in MD-01, issued the following statement on Andy Harris’ recent vote, which cut millions of dollars from the critical food stamp program
Last week, in two stunning votes, Andy Harris clearly showed his disdain for the needs of the people he supposedly represents in Congress.
He voted to cut 4 million people from the food stamp program, despite the fact that over 10% of his constituents in Maryland’s 1st Congressional district rely on this vital assistance. In an interview on CNN he justifies this cut by citing waste and abuse in the system. However, he fails to mention that the actual estimate of inappropriate use of food stamps is less than 2%. And, of course he doesn’t mention the thousands of people in District 1 who would be cut off from food assistance by his action. The reason for the increased use of the food stamp program in recent years is our poor economy, with many people out of work for long periods. The need for supplemental food assistance will go down once the economy has further recovered.
In a separate vote, he went along with his Tea Party colleagues voting to bring the country to the brink of a government shutdown. To continue paying the country’s bills, Harris insists on only funding the government under the condition that the Affordable Care Act be defunded. His vote is purely political, has no chance of becoming law, and is totally irresponsible. The people of the 1st congressional district need their Congressman to represent their interests in Washington, not to waste time making meaningless political points.
Contact Keauna Gregory, [email protected]
Beryl Smith says
Editor,
This is the same Andy Harris that complained loudly when he didn’t get his government issued health insurance as soon as he thought he should have it. Seems he is the only one entitled–not the many who have no other way to secure health care. Seems he has no cares for those on the lower economic end of things. But then, they don’t have the dollars to contribute to his campaign either!
David Fischer says
Editor,
Mr. LeFerla is, quite frankly, naive. Only “2 percent” of food stamp recipients are abusing the system? Seriously? Increase that number to about 75% and you will be in the ball-park. Our country is running massive deficits because of liberal social programs. We have millions of moochers scarfing up welfare benefits, food stamps, etc. Of the three hundred or so “disability” recipients I have met in the last couple of years in my business, only about 5 of these individuals appeared to be “disabled.” The rest suffered from inchohate maladies such as “bi-polar,” “ADHD,” “depression,” and similar dubious ailments. Basically, thanks to Obama and his army of the lazy, we have a sizeable underclass in this country who get there housing, food, baby supplies, and necessities paid for by tax-payers. It needs to stop.