DeLauro Statement In Opposition To Deep, Disastrous Cuts To Food Stamps

Press Release

Bill Before House of Representatives Would Cut $40 Billion from Program

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) released the following statement today on Republican legislation to cut $40 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the bill later this afternoon. If it were to become law, the bill would result in at least four million people being pushed off of food stamps.

"This bill goes against decades of bipartisan support for fighting hunger and would be disastrous for millions of Americans. The $40 billion in cuts it contains is nothing short of immoral. If this cruel legislation were to become law at least four million of our nation's poorest citizens would lose access to the food that they need.

"We are talking about people on the edge: families whose breadwinners just got laid off, and veterans returning from service who are looking for jobs. Seniors who are struggling to make ends meet after a lifetime of work. And millions of low-income children whose futures will be irreparably harmed if this bill becomes law.

"Food stamps help over 47 million Americans, nearly half of them children, escape the scourge of hunger. Three-quarters of food stamp households contain a child, senior, or disabled person. And they boast one of the lowest error rates of any government program.

"It makes no sense to cut $40 billion in food stamps for the poor while supporting $90 billion in crop insurance spending for the wealthy. This includes the 26 anonymous wealthy farmers who made over $1 million from the federal government. No one will tell us who they are.

"If the Majority is serious about helping vulnerable Americans we should be increasing the minimum wage and making it easier for people to feed their families, not harder."

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