TV chef gets emotional at Capitol Hill briefing

“Semi-Homemade Cooking” host Sandra Lee got teary-eyed as she pushed for support for federal nutrition programs and to end childhood hunger at a Tuesday briefing held by the Food Network and Share Our Strength.

The cooking star, who is dating New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), told the crowd, “I’m the oldest of five children, and if it wasn’t for welfare and food stamps, we wouldn’t have eaten.”

Lee, joined by Reps. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and James McGovern (D-Mass.), apologized for being a “Debbie Downer” before saying, “There are very few things in this world that make me cry, and seeing these kids — we have to help them.”

— Kate Oczypok contributed to this item

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