Cutting benefits for food to children, the elderly, and working families is not right. It's just not right. But that is exactly what Congress has decided to do.
This week I joined several colleagues and representatives from anti-hunger groups, including the Food Research Action Center and Share Our Strength, to denounce these across-the-board cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). They will impact thousands of Americans -- many in Missouri's Fifth District.
As you may know, I grew up in a house with three sisters, no running water or bathrooms, and feasting on meals that I now realize were not really meals at all. Nutrition is critical for a child's development. The lack of nutrition from my youth has, I believe, contributed to multiple operations I have had over the years. I resent those who deny nutrition to children who rely on SNAP benefits.
The Recovery Act in 2009 included a 13.6% increase to the SNAP program, raising benefits for all participating households during the recession. It was necessary then -- and now. According to a report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), the cut will result in a reduction equaling about $36 a month for a family of four. That may not sound like a lot, but those using the benefits will tell you -- it is.
The cut means $5 billion less in SNAP benefits that would help feed American families in the 2014 fiscal year alone. This is a serious loss for families whose benefits will now average less than $1.40 a person per meal. 22 million children and 9 million people who are elderly or have a serious disability are included in these cuts.
That is why I have joined Reps. John Conyers, Jr. (D-Michigan) and Barbara Lee (D-California), in cosponsoring the "Extend Not Cut SNAP Benefits Act". It is a one-year extension of the 13% benefit increase. These benefits are not a hand out for people who don't want to work and aren't trying, despite the myths and outright untruths some are spreading. SNAP benefits are the critical bridge during difficult economic times that help safeguard families from facing hunger. SNAP helps put food on the table for struggling families, supports farmers with product purchase, and stimulates economic growth. For every $1 increase in SNAP benefits, $1.70 is generated in economic activity. In 2011, SNAP lifted 4.7 million Americans above the poverty line, including 2.1 million children.
Cutting SNAP benefits at this point in time, from kids, from the disabled, from the elderly is not the right way to go. It doesn't make economic sense -- and it doesn't make soul sense.
1 comment:
Doesn't do our economy good either. Grocery stores will be taking a huge hit which will lead to fewer employees, a smaller contribution to the tax revenue and smaller profits for the stores. Bad move all the way around.
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