Huffman, House Democrats Call on Speaker Boehner Not to Push More Americans into Hunger

August 14, 2013

San Rafael, California—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) joined 204 House Democrats in calling on Speaker Boehner to include funding for nutrition programs in any future Farm Bill. Huffman and the other signers of the letter opposed the version of the Farm Bill that passed the House of Representatives last month, in part because it did not include important nutrition programs.

“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,” they wrote. “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.”

The full letter follows:

August 13, 2013

The Honorable John Boehner
The Speaker    
H-232, The Capitol    
Washington, DC  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.

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