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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release July 28, 2000

                    STATEMENT BY THE VICE PRESIDENT
                 ON FOOD STAMPS FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL

     I welcome today's announcement by Secretary of Defense Cohen of a

new proposal to address the issue of military personnel on food stamps. As I have said before, the men and women serving in America's armed forces and their families should not have to rely on food stamps. That is why I raised this issue with the President and worked with the Pentagon to search for solutions.

Over the past eight years, this Administration has made improving the quality of life for military personnel a high priority, securing the largest military pay increase in history and implementing new housing and health care initiatives benefiting service men and women and their families.

The proposal unveiled by the Pentagon today would eliminate the need for military personnel to rely on food stamps without creating new pay inequities or an exorbitant price tag for the American taxpayer. It builds upon the pay increases and quality of life improvements implemented by this Administration, which continue to address the needs of service members and their families. I strongly support the proposal announced by the Pentagon today, and urge Congress to act on it promptly.

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