John,

When Republicans passed their Big Brutal Budget, they passed the largest cut to SNAP in the program’s history―$187 billion over 10 years.¹ Now, Democrats in the House and Senate have introduced legislation to undo those draconian cuts.²

A big part of the Big Brutal SNAP cuts is the requirement that states pay a much bigger share of the cost―including covering the cost of SNAP benefits for the first time.³ If states cannot or will not come up with additional funds for SNAP out of their budgets, then they'll remove people from SNAP, reduce SNAP benefits, or opt out of the program altogether―exacerbating the struggles families are facing putting food on the table now.

Crystal FitzSimmons, president of the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), made the following statement⁴:

“States will be forced to radically cut the number of eligible families receiving food assistance or find other ways to cut spending or increase taxes. If states can’t pay the tab, they will be forced out of SNAP entirely, eliminating SNAP for everyone who is eligible. These cuts simply cannot stand as they will reverse decades of progress in the fight against hunger in America.”

Send a message to Congress today, urging them to restore the federal responsibility to provide adequate SNAP benefits to people in need that was seriously eroded in the Big Brutal Budget.

Most adults who receive SNAP benefits work if they do not have a disability and are not elderly, but they’re stuck in low-paying jobs with uncertain hours and need SNAP benefits to supplement their income. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cost of groceries has increased 29% over the past 5 years.⁵ USDA data show that 60% of SNAP households with children and a non-elderly, non-disabled adult have earnings⁶―but not enough to cover basic needs.

SNAP is not only our most effective anti-hunger program, but it also plays a crucial role in reducing poverty and improving health and economic outcomes. It’s linked to better education outcomes and self-sufficiency, and plays an essential role in supporting rural communities.⁷

Congress must undo the cuts made to SNAP in the Big Brutal Budget, or the pain and suffering we saw during the shutdown will only continue over the next decade.

Join us in calling on Congress to restore SNAP funding now.

Thank you for all you do,

Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, CHN Action

¹ By the Numbers: Harmful Republican Megabill Takes Food Assistance Away From Millions of People
² Luján, Schumer, Klobuchar, Merkley, Hayes, Craig Lead Congressional Democrats in Introducing Legislation to Reverse SNAP Cuts and Restore Food Security for Millions of Americans
³ By the Numbers: Harmful Republican Megabill Takes Food Assistance Away From Millions of People
⁴ FRAC, CBPP, and Nearly 1,500 National, State, and Community-Based Organizations Urge Congress to Restore SNAP Funding
⁵ Grocery prices have jumped up, and there's no relief in sight
⁶ SNAP Provides Critical Benefits to Workers and Their Families
⁷ SNAP Supports Rural Families