Republicans in the House and Senate are proposing to slash more than $230 billion from SNAP and school nutrition programs in order to fund more tax handouts for the wealthy and billion-dollar corporations. But it’s far from a done deal.
SNAP is not only our most effective anti-hunger program, it plays a crucial role in reducing poverty and improving health and economic outcomes. It’s also linked to better education outcomes and self-sufficiency, and plays an important role in supporting rural communities.
SNAP is one of the most cost-effective government programs in existence. Every dollar spent on SNAP generates $1.80 in local communities. Cuts to SNAP and school nutrition programs will have devastating consequences for generations to come.
Individual states currently pay a portion of the cost of administering SNAP, while the federal government pays the actual benefits. Implementing a $230 billion cut could force states to take on a portion of the cost of nutrition benefits for the first time, a radical change in the program that could lead to drastic cuts, increasing wait times for approval for benefits, or put a huge squeeze on states leading to slashed investments in other programs.
Cutting SNAP (and Medicaid, another right-wing target) also makes it harder for eligible families to obtain free or reduced-price school meals, summer food assistance for school-aged children (Summer EBT), and WIC benefits. School meal programs and Summer EBT automatically enroll eligible children using SNAP and Medicaid, while WIC agencies use automated systems to check for SNAP or Medicaid eligibility. In addition, the House Budget Committee has put forth numerous specific budget-cutting proposals, including a $12 billion cut to free school breakfast and lunch programs, affecting 24,000 schools nationwide.
Cutting funding for nutrition programs in order to pay for some of Trump’s $4.5 trillion tax handout―mostly to the wealthy and corporations―is an abomination.
3:00 PM
Hosts:
Rep. Ro Khanna and Rep. Raúl Grijalva
Sponsors:
The Center for Economic and Policy Research, the Washington Office on Latin America and the U.S. Network for Democracy in Brazil.
Location:
Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC
Room 2325
Please join us for a screening of the short documentary “I, A Black Woman, Resist” followed by a discussion with two leading experts on racism and feminism in Brazil about the life and legacy of Afro-Brazilian leader Marielle Franco, a staunch critic of police brutality and state-sanctioned violence who was assassinated on March 14, 2018.
Deeply rooted in the longstanding tradition of Black Feminist activism in Brazil, Marielle Franco dedicated herself to speaking truth to power and to uplifting and empowering marginalized communities in Brazil up until the final moments of her life. Featuring a first-hand account from Dr. Barber of the last event that Marielle attended at Casa das Pretas (Black Women’s House) on the night of her assassination, this short documentary seeks to raise awareness, build consciousness, and facilitate dialogue around the necessity of transnational solidarity in the fight against racism and the global struggle for Black Lives.
Co-Director Dr. Sharrelle Barber will speak and answer questions about her inspiration to create this documentary that bears witness to Marielle Franco’s life. Dr. Gladys Mitchell-Walthour will discuss the broader context of human rights and democracy in Brazil and the status of the Afro-Brazilian rights movement at this challenging juncture in the country’s history.
Please RSVP and direct questions to Marilyn.Zepeda@mail.house.gov.