EATING IS A BASIC NEED

On 2026-06-11, Representative Pablo José Hernández (D-PR) delivered a floor speech titled "EATING IS A BASIC NEED" in the House.

EATING IS A BASIC NEED

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [House] [Page H4100] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] EATING IS A BASIC NEED (Mr. HERNANDEZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. HERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, yesterday students from the University of Puerto Rico gave me this graduation cap. It says: I want to graduate without hunger. Eating is a basic need. Puerto Rico is not eligible for SNAP. As a result, many people, including our students, have to choose between buying a textbook or buying food. We are working to change that, and today I have very important news. For the first time in this initiative's history, we have a Republican cosponsor in the Senate, and I thank Senator Roger Wicker for joining Senator Gillibrand and 17 other Democrats in extending nutrition fairness for Puerto Rico. I thank the Senate Republicans as well and 58 Democrats who cosponsored my bill to extend SNAP to Puerto Rico. The fight goes on. We are making progress, and the people have hope. ____________________