Dear friend,

As we gather with family and loved ones this Thanksgiving, I would like to express my gratitude for the faith you have put in me to represent you. It is important to take days like today to recharge and remember all we have to be grateful for.
 
On Thanksgiving and every day, everyone deserves to come together over a hot meal, and our state has demonstrated our commitment to that in recent weeks. The State of Connecticut stepped up to combat food insecurity ahead of the holiday. Last month, Governor Lamont announced $3 million in emergency funding to the nonprofit organization Connecticut Foodshare to fill the gap left by the Trump Administration’s delay in SNAP benefits. Connecticut Foodshare mobilizes community partners, volunteers, and supporters in Connecticut to alleviate hunger. Each year they hold a “Thanksgiving for All” donation drive to help our neighbors not only today, but all year long. It is important to remember what we may think of as a simple act of gratitude can often mean the world to a family in need.
 
For every one meal provided by food pantries, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nine meals. In Connecticut, nearly 360,000 people rely on SNAP to put food on the table. As the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture, I am committed to safeguarding access to SNAP to ensure families have the food they need. Hunger is a policy choice. I am making the choice to continue to push back on these harmful cuts.
 
While the government shutdown is over and participants have received their benefits, SNAP remains under threat. Last week, I introduced the Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025, which would repeal the devastating cuts to SNAP enacted by the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” That legislation cut SNAP by 20 percent or $187 billion; the largest cut in the history of the program. These cuts will hurt hard-working Americans, farmers, ranchers, producers and grocers across the country. 
 
The road ahead is long, yet I will continue to advocate for strengthening food safety net programs. On Thanksgiving, may your day be spent enjoying a hot meal surrounded by those you love. I encourage you to take today to pause, reconnect, and emerge with a renewed sense of resilience and hope. It is my privilege to serve as your Member of Congress.

Jahana Hayes
Member of Congress