To: Domestic Economic Justice Advocates
From: Krista Zimmerman, Legislative Associate
Date: July 23, 2007

Re: Update on Food Stamp Legislation – King Amendments

Update
We are pleased to write you today with good news!

On June 25 we told you that Rep. Steve King (R-IA) would offer two amendments to the Farm Bill that would restrict the ability of many recent immigrants and refugees to access food aid – even some who had become full citizens. When we met with staffers on Capitol Hill about our concerns, they told us that calls from their constituents were the number one thing that would make a difference.

Well, many of you told us you called, and we are happy to tell you that your efforts paid off.

The House Agricultural Committee passed its final version of the 2007 Farm Bill and the King Amendments were not on it. (As a reminder, the King Amendments would have severely restricted access to food stamps by 1) denying coverage to any immigrant who had ever been in the United States illegally or without status and 2) by repealing the restoration of food stamp benefits to immigrants that passed in 2002 with wide bipartisan support). The proposed amendments were unjust and punitive towards the immigrant community and they would have put an unnecessary administrative burden on the food stamp program, thereby putting all of the most vulnerable members of society at risk.

The decision to withhold these amendments was reached as an agreement between Committee Chairmen Collin Peterson (D-MN) and Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) who deserve our thanks for their wisdom and hard work in ensuring neither of these damaging amendments attached to the Ag Committee bill.

Action
Please thank Rep. Bob Goodlatte, Rep. Collin Peterson and House Leadership for their hard work and continue to offer all members of Congress the affirmation and encouragement they need to hold their ground on tough votes as the Farm Bill moves to the House floor.

Rep. Bob Goodlatte
T 202-225-5431
F 202-225-9681
www.house.gov/goodlatte

Rep. Collin Peterson
T 202-225-2165
F 202-225-1593
www.collinpeterson.house.gov

Speaker Nancy Pelosi
202-225-0100
www.speaker.gov

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
202-225-3130
www.majorityleader.gov

Visits, e-mails, phone calls, faxes and letters are all good ways to contact your legislators. E-mails, phone calls and faxes are good for time-sensitive issues. Postal mail travels slowly in the Capitol, but letters have long-term impact. Be sure to include your mailing address in all correspondence to confirm your residency in a particular district and state.

We would be grateful for copies of your correspondence and any responses you receive! Please send them to