I’m writing as a constituent to urge the House and Senate to develop a Farm Bill that ensures that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is protected and strengthened and that benefit adequacy, equitable access, and program administration remain core tenets of the program.
I oppose any Farm Bill — including the House Agriculture Committee’s Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 — which proposes cuts to SNAP including restricting future Thrifty Food Plan benefit adjustments, nearly $30 billion in cuts over 10 years according to the Congressional Budget Office, in addition to provisions outsourcing administrative functions currently required to be performed by public sector merit employees.
The Farm Bill presents a unique opportunity for Congress to make progress against food insecurity and hunger, especially considering that food insecurity touches people in every Congressional District.
Every dollar invested in SNAP is a dollar we invest into our nation and its people. And this investment has a strong ripple effect. Studies show that increases in SNAP benefits directly correlate to improved health outcomes and decreased visits to emergency rooms, which decreases Medicaid costs. In addition to its health, nutrition, and overall improved well-being attributes, SNAP also supports local economies — each dollar in federally funded SNAP benefits generates between $1.50 and $1.80 in economic activity during a weak economy.
Equally important, Congress must protect SNAP from damaging policies that would undermine its effectiveness and increase hunger and food insecurity. This includes ensuring that future Thrifty Food Plan adjustments allow benefits to keep pace with the cost of a healthy diet based on factors such as the latest dietary guidance and food consumption patterns. Historically, the Farm Bill has been a bipartisan effort that has prioritized improving the lives of millions of households who struggle to get the nutrition they need.
I urge Congress to return to this core Farm Bill principle and only advance a bold and equitable Farm Bill that protects and strengthens SNAP and the commodity assistance programs that support millions of households in every corner of our country. Thanks.
