WASHINGTON,
Aug. 13, 2013 – Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., led 204 fellow House Democrats
today in calling on House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, to include
nutrition funding in the next farm bill.
The
letter to the speaker reiterated the House Democratic Caucus’ belief “in the
critical importance” of the food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
“Given
the essential nature of this program to millions of American families, the
final language of the farm bill or any other legislation related to SNAP must
be crafted to ensure that we do not increase hunger in America,” the lawmakers
wrote.
In
July, House Republicans managed to pass a farm-only piece of legislation after
an earlier attempt to include a nutrition title failed. While Democrats argued
the $20 billion cut over ten years included in the House Agriculture
Committee’s bill was too steep, a number of Republicans felt the reductions
were not dramatic enough.
A new
Republican proposal, announced
by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., is said to include
$40 billion in cuts.
The
Senate-passed farm bill includes $4 billion in cuts.
When
Congress returns in September, the House will have nine legislative days to
pass their own bill and conference with the Senate before the current extension
of the 2008 farm bill expires at the close of the fiscal year, on Sept. 30.
The
full text of the House Democrats’ letter is below:
The
Honorable John Boehner
The
Speaker
H-232,
The Capitol
Washington,
D.C. 20515
Dear
Speaker Boehner,
The
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is our country’s most critical
anti-hunger program, helping more than 47 million Americans meet their basic
food needs at a time when more than 50 million Americans face the threat of
food insecurity. Nearly half of SNAP enrollees are children, and the
program helps feed roughly one in three children in America.
Additionally, almost 75 percent of SNAP participants are in households with
children, seniors, or a disabled individual.
More
than half of the average household’s SNAP allocation is used within 7 days, and
by the third week of the month 90 percent of SNAP benefits have been redeemed,
leaving many families without the resources they need to buy food. This
inadequacy causes an added burden on food banks, as nearly 60 percent of the
households receiving SNAP and using food banks have to rely on food banks at
least 6 months a year. In addition, under current law each household
participating in SNAP will see a benefit reduction when the temporary increase
from the Recovery Act expires. This means that, beginning November
1st, each SNAP enrollee will see a cut to their benefit that is, on average,
less than $1.50 per meal.
Unfortunately,
the Republican leadership recently forced through a farm bill reauthorization,
H.R. 2642, which did not include the nutrition title, a major part of the farm bill that would reauthorize SNAP. We voted against this bill in large part
because of this intentional omission. We strongly believe in the critical
importance of SNAP. Given the essential nature of this program to millions of
American families, the final language of the farm bill or any other legislation
related to SNAP must be crafted to ensure that we do not increase hunger in
America.
#30
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