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Ben Ray Lujan on Welfare & Poverty

 

 


End "lunch shaming" for students who can't afford lunch

New Mexico proudly ended the cruel practice of lunch shaming but students across the country are still forced to go hungry or are ostracized if they are unable to afford a school lunch. We are the richest nation in the world and must end this practice. The data is clear: Children cannot learn when they are hungry and they cannot succeed when they are sick. This is why I've continued to champion the No Shame Act to end this senseless policy.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website BenRayLujan .com , Jul 8, 2020

Sponsored maintaining SNAP nutrition assistance program.

Lujan co-sponsored House Resolution on SNAP

Source: H.RES.90 13-HRes90 on Feb 28, 2013

Voted NO on transferring housing vouchers to ex-addicts.

Lujan voted NAY Transitional Housing for Recovery in Viable Environments Demonstration Program Act

Congressional Summary: Transitional Housing for Recovery in Viable Environments Demonstration Program Act: This bill requires HUD to establish a five-year demonstration program to provide low-income rental-assistance vouchers to individuals recovering from an opioid or other substance-use disorder. Specifically, these vouchers shall be provided through a supportive housing program that provides treatment for such disorders and coordination with workforce development providers.

Statement in support by the Republican Policy Committee: This bill would set aside, out of approximately 2.2 million vouchers, the lesser of 10,000 Section 8 vouchers or .05% of all vouchers. In 2017, President Trump established the President`s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis. The Commission will be chaired by Governor Chris Christie and will study ways to combat and treat the scourge of the opioid crisis. The Commission noted, `There is a critical shortage of recovery housing for Americans in or pursuing recovery. Recovery residences (also known as `sober homes`) are alcohol- and drug-free living environments for individuals seeking the skills and social support to remain free of alcohol or other drugs.`

Statement in opposition by National Low-Income Housing Coalition: The bill would lengthen affordable housing waiting lists for low income families, seniors, and people experiencing homelessness. Rep. Maxine Waters spoke against the bill [saying it] tries to help people suffering from substance-use disorders, but that doing so requires more resources: `You cannot do this on the cheap. Rehabilitation costs money. We would be taking 10,000 vouchers from those who have been waiting in line for years.`

Legislative outcome: Bill Passed House, 230-17-24 on June 14, 2018. No vote in Senate [died in committee].

Source: Congressional vote 18-HR5735 on May 9, 2018

Public jobs on community-based public interest projects.

Lujan signed public jobs on community-based public interest projects

SPONSOR`S INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:

Rep. HARE: The unemployed don`t want another benefits check. They want a job. H.R. 4290 would tackle this problem by creating and helping retain millions of jobs. It will reach that goal by investing $60 billion per year over 3 years in TARP money.

Wall Street got its bailout. It`s time for Main Street to get theirs.
Source: New Deal for a New Economy Act (H.R.4290) 2009-H4290 on Dec 11, 2009

Support school breakfast for low-income children.

Lujan signed bill favoring school breakfast for low-income kids