Dear John,

The Trump Administration’s decision to unnecessarily delay SNAP benefits, or CalFresh as we call it in California, has put the health, safety and sanity of countless Inland Empire families at risk. The Trump Administration has the ability to fund food assistance programs in November and to ensure that no one goes without the food they need to survive, but Trump continues to drag his feet on funding the program. 

There is no reason that it should take multiple court orders to get the Trump Administration to follow the law and release this money to ensure families continue to receive their SNAP benefits.

By refusing to do so, the Trump administration reached a new level of cruelty, taking food away from the most vulnerable Americans, including thousands of children, seniors and veterans. At the same time, while millions of people across the country go hungry because of Donald Trump, Republicans have no problem finding $40 billion in taxpayer dollars to send to Argentina or $300 million to build a White House ballroom.

That’s why I joined Inland Empire Reps. Mark Takano, Raul Ruiz and Norma Torres at the ​​Inland SoCal United Way to show how the Trump Administration has reached a new level of cruelty by delaying SNAP funding and allowing millions of children and families to go hungry.

I also visited Redlands Ranch Market, where I heard from the store owner about how the ongoing Republican government shutdown and Trump’s delay of SNAP benefits hurt their business and the customers they serve. Small businesses like the Redlands Ranch Market have been struggling to get by and have lost profits every day that the Trump Administration delayed SNAP benefits. 

It’s clear that Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress don’t care about the American people. Trump has caused unnecessary chaos and confusion for people in California and across the country. It’s time for Trump and Republicans to do the right thing and finally put the American people ahead of their billionaire and corporate donors.

Thanks,