Congressman Henry Cuellar announced today that the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) will be funded at $118 million, which is $11 million above last year and $118 million over the Administration’s request.
The Administration’s FY 2007 Budget contained alarming cuts to valuable federal programs that countless American families rely on including the CSFP. This meant that, in the 28th Congressional District of Texas, over 5,000 senior citizens would lose their primary source of nutrition.
In March, Congressman Henry Cuellar called an emergency meeting with various public officials and representatives from the South Texas Food Bank. He addressed concerns of the potential depletion in food supply for senior citizens in Webb and Zapata counties resulting from these drastic budget initiatives.
In April, Congressman Cuellar rallied alongside hundreds of senior citizens in Laredo in his continued opposition of the cuts to this valuable nutrition program. His unyielding support of the people of the 28th District echoed in the halls of Congress where he continued his fight against deep cuts to seniors’ programs by working in a bipartisan manner to secure additional funding.
Congressman Cuellar said, “I will not allow the federal budget to be balanced on the backs of America’s senior citizens, who tend to be those in the greatest need. It is the government’s duty and moral obligation to provide its citizens with the proper means to stay healthy and not go hungry.”
South Texas Food Bank Director Alfredo Castillo was extremely pleased to learn that CSFP would be refunded this year, “I’ve had the opportunity of getting to know our seniors on a one on one basis and understand the personal negative effects the program’s elimination would have on their health and their livelihood. I want to thank Congressman Cuellar for being the front runner on efforts to save CSFP. His support has restored our seniors’ faith in the system.”
“This upcoming fiscal year, seniors need relief, not additional cuts to programs they rely on,” argued Congressman Cuellar, whose persistent support of the CSFP helped effect a complete turnaround in events. “It was gratifying to see members of the community, the South Texas Food Bank, and hundreds of senior citizens stand up to protect this important program. I am pleased to see that our joint efforts have resulted in continued support of our senior population in my district and across the country and would like to thank my Congressional colleagues for moving this forward, Congress acted, and we have saved the CSFP.”

Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the House Budget and Agriculture committees in the 109th Congress; accessibility to constituents, education, health care and economic development are his priorities.