John,
Congressional Republicans and right-wing think tanks are proposing extreme cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that could result in millions of people not being able to access the healthy food they need to survive.
SNAP remains the most effective tool this country has to combat hunger for children and families, adults with disabilities, and veterans.
If right-wing members of Congress have it their way, nutrition resources and the benefits they provide would be snatched away from the most vulnerable members of our communities. The Republican Study Committee’s proposal calls for a 22% cut in SNAP by rescinding the most recent modest update of the Thrifty Food Plan―the program used to determine SNAP benefit amounts―and would take food away from 41 million people per year. How generous is the updated SNAP benefit? This year, it averages only $6.20 per person per day. That’s what they want to slash.1
All this is happening while Republicans are looking to fast track budget legislation to extend the 2017 tax law that disproportionately benefited the wealthiest taxpayers. House Committee leaders met two weeks ago and discussed strategies to cut up to $250 billion from food assistance as part of their larger budget package.2 We cannot give handouts to the rich on the backs of the most vulnerable.
Send a direct message to Congress demanding they reject any and all cuts to SNAP now.
SEND A MESSAGE
During his first term in office, Donald Trump’s FY2019 budget called for a 30% cut―$213 billion―in SNAP benefits over 10 years. The proposal also included cutting SNAP household benefits by 40%, providing families with a government-issued box of non-perishable foods rather than the ability to shop at the grocery store.3 People stood against the cuts and defeated them―but if Congress rams through a budget package, they have a vehicle to take food off the tables of millions.
Changes in SNAP proposed by the Republican Study Committee and Project 2025 include:4
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Cut future benefits for all SNAP beneficiaries, including 1 in 5 U.S. children
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End assistance for people in households that were able to modestly increase savings or income
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Reduce federal funding and end the guarantee that eligible people can count on federal SNAP help, shifting the cost to cash-strapped states, which will undoubtedly result in wait lists
SNAP is not only our most effective anti-hunger program, it plays a crucial role in reducing poverty and improving health and economic outcomes. It’s also linked to better education outcomes and self-sufficiency, and plays an important role in supporting rural communities.5
Congress must strengthen, not cut SNAP for millions of families who rely on it.
Send a message to Congress telling them to reject SNAP cuts.
Thank you for all you do,
Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, CHN Action
1 House Republican Agendas and Project 2025 Would Increase Poverty and Hardship, Drive Up the Uninsured Rate, and Disinvest From People, Communities, and the Economy
2 Inside the room: Where House Republicans are looking to slash
3 President's Budget Would Cut Food Assistance for Millions and Radically Restructure SNAP
4 Republican SNAP Proposals Could Take Food Away From Millions of Low-Income Individuals and Families
5 SNAP Supports Rural Families
