Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Support McGoverns Amendment to Defend SNAP

Support McGoverns Amendment to Defend SNAP

Today, the House will continue debate on the Farm Bill, H.R. 1947.  Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) has introduced an amendment (#146) that would restore the $20.5 billion/10 year cut to SNAP in the Farm Bill.  Currently, amendment #146 has over 70 co-sponsors.   This amendment is vital to support those who are hungry.  We strongly urge you to contact your representative today and ask them to support this important amendment.

Call the US Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121 and ask your Representative to support McGoverns Amendment.

I support Rep. James McGovern's amendment (#146) to restore the $20.5 billion/10 years cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) currently in H.R. 1947.  As it stands, we oppose H.R. 1947 because it would increase hunger among millions of Americans - people with disabilities, children, seniors and struggling parents - those who work, as well as those who are unemployed or underemployed.
At a time when more than one in six Americans struggle to put food on the table, the cuts to SNAP proposed in the House farm bill are unconscionable and harmful. Specifically, the House bill would result in at least 1.8 million people losing SNAP benefits entirely, and another 1.7 million people seeing their benefits reduced by about $90 per month.
Our nation can ill afford to see SNAP weakened in the farm bill.  Benefits are modest, averaging less than $1.50 per person per meal and are already scheduled to drop on November 1, 2013, with termination of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) benefit boost. This reduction, which will impact every SNAP beneficiary, will average about $25 per month for a family of three.

I support Rep. James McGovern’s amendment (#146) to restore the $20.5 billion cut to SNAP and urge Members of Congress to vote YES when it comes up for a vote.