Democrats Urge House GOP Not to Cut Food Stamps Program

A sign alerting customers about SNAP food stamps benefits in a Brooklyn grocery store in New York on Dec. 5, 2019. (Scott Heins/Getty Images)

House Agriculture Committee ranking member David Scott (D-Ga.) led committee Democrats in a letter to Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), voicing concern about the upcoming farm bill’s allowances for nutritional assistance programs.

The Aug. 7 letter (pdf), signed by every Democratic member of the committee, addressed continued proposals by members of the House Republican leadership to change the way the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), and others, are funded.

According to the press release from Agriculture Committee Democrats, Republicans in House leadership want to “take food away from hungry Americans by weakening SNAP, the nation’s most effective anti-hunger program.”

The lawmakers’ letter voiced concern about the comments from Republican leadership that could “jeopardize the consideration and passage” of the bipartisan farm bill when it reaches the floor of the House.

“You have seen what happens when leadership gets involved in dictating the details of the farm bill, particularly when the issue involved is SNAP, the safety net for America’s working poor and elderly,” the lawmakers wrote.

The letter writers continued, cautioning: “The failures of the 2014 and 2018 House versions of the farm bill their first time up for consideration caused a great deal of anxiety in rural America. That should be enough of a reminder to you that playing partisan SNAP politics does nothing to address the needs of our farm and ranch families who depend on the other components of the farm bill, whether it’s the farm safety net, conservation, trade or other titles.”

Committee’s Bipartisan History

The letter also spoke to the lawmakers’ appreciation of the “bipartisan” and collegial nature of the House Agriculture Committee. It noted that those friendly working conditions had facilitated the passing of farm bills in the past.

“As we work on the 2023 Farm Bill, we would ask that you continue to honor that tradition by letting the Committee work its will and then respect the product that we hope comes out of our process later this Fall,” the letter went on.

The House Democrats noted in their letter to Mr. McCarthy that the full House could undermine what the committee decides, creating tension in passing the legislation: “The continued threat of making additional changes to SNAP eligibility or benefits is not helpful and even undermines Chairman Thompson as he works with his Democratic and Republican membership to bring a bipartisan farm bill out of the Agriculture Committee.

“Our nation’s hungry and those who grow their food deserve a bipartisan farm bill to address their needs.”

Mr. Scott previously released a statement on Aug. 1 regarding the upcoming farm bill and the potential ramifications for SNAP, responding to reports that senior members of the House Republican leadership were conning “attacks” on the program.

“Even as a bipartisan delegation of the House Agriculture Committee held a farm bill listening session in Maine, senior House Republicans openly shared their plans with members of the media to take food away from vulnerable Americans by weakening SNAP,” Mr. Scott said, according to a committee press release.

“My defense of SNAP is as unambiguous as it is unwavering. Continued attempts by extreme Republicans to take food away from hungry children, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities will not stand,” the ranking member went on. “House Democrats stand united to protect America’s food supply and reduce food insecurity. The farm bill is the best and most appropriate vehicle to achieve these twin ends. Republican attacks on our most successful anti-hunger program imperil America’s food security, hungry families, and the farm bill.

“I urge my Republican colleagues to proceed with caution. If they want to pass a farm bill that supports America’s farmers and families, they need to keep their hands off SNAP.”

Additional Food Security Concerns

As economic pressures have increased, more groups, including the U.S. Army, are leaning on government assistance. In September last year, the Army recommended that soldiers apply for SNAP benefits.

In the official guidance released last year, the U.S. Army cites the higher prices for a variety of products due to inflation as the reason for their recommendation.

“With inflation affecting everything from gas prices to groceries to rent, some Soldiers and their families are finding it harder to get by on the budgets they’ve set and used before,” according to the Army’s guidance written by Sergeant Major of the Army Michael A. Grinston. “Soldiers of all ranks can seek guidance, assistance, and advice through the Army’s Financial Readiness Program.”

The instruction directs personnel to SNAP and provides a link to the website of the federal welfare program: “SNAP is a U.S. government program that provides benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families via an electronic benefits transfer card that can be used like a debit card to purchase eligible food in authorized retail food stores.

“Service members and their families may be eligible,” the Army guidance reads.

Mr. McCarthy’s office did not immediately respond to The Epoch Times’ request for comment.