Tsongas Statement on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) vote

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Niki Tsongas voted against H.R. 3102, Republican-backed legislation enacting unprecedented cuts in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program). If enacted, H.R. 3012 would cut nearly $40 billion from SNAP, which supports our country's most vulnerable citizens and directly prevents families from going hungry. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that due to H.R. 3102, 2.8 million people on average would lose their access to this food support altogether, while another 850,000 would see cuts.

The bill passed the House of Representatives by a party line vote of 217 to 210, with 15 Republicans opposing.

Congresswoman Tsongas released the following statement.

"At a time when millions of American families are struggling to put food on the table, Republicans want to raid their refrigerators.

"Slashing SNAP would be devastating to our nation's most vulnerable citizens, taking food out of the mouths of children, seniors and veterans. Nationwide, these cuts would equate to approximately 3.4 billion meals, or 24 meals a month for a family of four. Nearly 1 in 5 veterans would lose food aid due to this bill.

"While some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle still doubt that hunger is a problem in the 21st century in America, I know that in the cities and communities I represent, too many families, and especially too many children, have trouble getting enough food. School officials in my district have shared with me that free breakfasts on Monday mornings see the highest attendance because some kids have gone hungry all weekend. More than 800,000 Massachusetts residents rely on some form of SNAP support, and would be impacted by H.R. 3102.

"Contrary to Republican scare tactics, the SNAP program is among the most efficient and effective federal programs and fraud is currently at an all-time low. The vast majority of SNAP recipients are hard-working Americans, families, children and military veterans looking to make ends meet. SNAP literally keeps people from starving.

"This program also has helped bolster our country's economic recovery, as the Congressional Budget Office has found that for every $5 spent on SNAP, it spurs $9 of economic growth.

"Dozens of national organizations oppose this bill, including the AARP, the National Council on Aging and the ACLU. By denying SNAP benefits to at least 4 million low-income Americans, this dangerous and irresponsible bill would jeopardize the wellbeing of our citizens and hinder the growth of our economy."

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