Enyart Addresses House to Oppose Proposed Nutrition Cuts for Veterans

Press Release

Congressman Bill Enyart (D-IL) addressed the U.S. House of Representatives today in opposition to proposed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cuts that would affect millions of American veterans, many of them in Southern Illinois.

Enyart (D-IL) spoke amid Congressional debate this week over a proposal to cut $40 billion from the SNAP program. The massive cuts threaten the prospect of a comprehensive five-year Farm Bill supported by Congressman Enyart and numerous agriculture groups in Illinois. Enyart highlighted the particular affect that the proposed nutrition cuts would have on active duty military personnel and veterans.

"During the 35 years I spent in the military it was my privilege to lead outstanding men and women in our armed forces," Enyart said from the House floor. "They served with honor and distinction yet here we are talking about treating the lowest paid of them like second class citizens, unworthy of basic assistance in these difficult times."

Noting that the 12th Congressional District has a higher proportion of veterans than any other district in Illinois, Enyart stated the number of active personnel and veterans relying on SNAP has risen dramatically over the past few years since the Great Recession:

U.S. Census data indicates that some 1.5 million households with a veteran were receiving SNAP benefits.
The base pay of most recent enlistees, from corporals on down, are at or well below the $23,050 poverty rate for a family of four.
At military commissaries nationwide, nearly $88 million in SNAP vouchers were redeemed in 2011.
Food stamp purchases at military commissaries nearly tripled during the preceding four years, Stars and Stripes reported according to the Defense Commissary Agency in 2011.
The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities reported approximately 900,000 veterans currently receive food aid and proposed cuts would impact around 170,000.
According to The Hill newspaper, more than $98 million in SNAP benefits were redeemed by Veterans in 2012.
16% of SNAP recipients are disabled, many of them veterans.
Enyart also noted that SNAP benefits are already scheduled to be reduced. Boosted until November 1, 2013 by the 2009 Recovery Act, families of three will lose $29 a month.

"I answer to active military personnel and veterans who rely on SNAP benefits to make ends meet," Enyart told his colleagues. "Does anyone in this chamber wish to tell them that in their hour of need their country is turning their back on them? Who among us wants to decide which of these service members, which of these veterans deserves assistance and which do not?"

"They served us with honor and distinction," Enyart said. "Some are still serving. Now it's time for us to serve them with a measure of honor and distinction of our own. I urge my colleagues to reject these shameful proposals which would cut this basic level of assistance to deserving recipients who need it now more than ever."

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