U.S. Rep. Gary Peters Helps Lead Democratic Colleagues in Fight Against GOP's Cuts to Food Assistance

Press Release

Today U.S. Rep. Gary Peters joined several Democratic members of Congress at a press conference to denounce the GOP's proposed cuts to SNAP food assistance by $16.5 billion in their version of the Farm Bill. If the GOP plan was signed into law, thousands of families in Michigan would be cut off from food assistance. Because 76% of the 22 million American families on food assistance have a child, an elderly person or a disabled person, the Republicans cuts would attempt to balance the budget on the backs of our most vulnerable.

"There are some things we can negotiate on, but I will never support a policy that would take food away from hungry children," said U.S. Rep. Gary Peters. "Hunger is a real problem facing our communities and too many Michigan families already have to make tough choices about whether they'll pay for groceries, rent or prescription drugs. I'm helping lead the fight against the Republican's draconian cuts to food assistance because their policy would force thousands of families deeper into poverty."

Last year, Congressman Peters helped lead the successful fight to stop Governor Snyder from kicking families that own a vehicle off of food assistance. Peters introduced the Eliminate Auto Test (EAT) Act which would exempt vehicles from asset testing for food assistance. By introducing this legislation and working with community leaders to build public pressure, Peters helped convince Governor Snyder to revise his policy to exempt the first car a family owns.

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