1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

As your constituent, I urge you to oppose – and vote against – the House Agriculture Committee reconciliation bill that cuts, guts, and weakens the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This bill represents the largest cuts and structural changes in the program’s history—and the consequences would be devastating. One of the most alarming provisions in the bill is a massive restructuring of SNAP’s funding model. Right now, SNAP is a federal-state partnership. The federal government pays 100% of food benefits and shares administrative costs equally with states. This proposal would change that by shifting some of the benefit costs – up to 25 percent for some states – while also increasing the administrative burden to states from 50 percent to 75 percent. SNAP is essential for millions of low-wage working families, including children, older adults, and people with disabilities. Research shows that SNAP improves health outcomes, reduces child hospitalizations and developmental delays, and supports educational success. Cutting SNAP would worsen public health and drive up healthcare and education costs. Economically, SNAP is a proven engine. Every $1 in benefits generates up to $1.80 in economic activity during economic downturns. In the independent grocery sector alone, SNAP supports nearly 200,000 jobs, $16 billion in wages, and $2 billion in tax revenue. These numbers grow dramatically when factoring in the full food retail industry. Cuts would hurt families and local economies, especially in rural and low-income areas. The projected 20% cut to SNAP would devastate the economy in our district. Additionally, reducing SNAP would force more families into food insecurity and place even greater pressure on food banks and charities, which already struggle to meet demand. For every nine meals SNAP provides, food charities can supply only one. These organizations cannot absorb the gap that would be left by such severe cuts. Similarly, shifting costs to the states would create an unfunded mandate, forcing them to choose between cutting vital food aid or gutting other critical programs. The projected 20% cut to SNAP would increase food insecurity in our district. I urge you to oppose and vote against the House Agriculture Committee reconciliation bill that would cut and weaken the program. I also urge you to speak out to protect and strengthen SNAP. This program supports health, stability, and local economies. Cutting it would have serious, lasting consequences for our communities. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.