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Congress must reject any and all funding cuts to essential nutrition programs

If the Farm Bill to be considered in the House Committee on Agriculture on May 23 becomes law, it will mean a cut of nearly $30 billion in future SNAP benefits over a decade.

Such cuts are unconscionable. For many children, they will make learning more difficult and lead to negative health outcomes. They will force families and older adults to choose between putting food on the table and paying for other expenses such as rent, utility bills, or prescription drugs. They will also harm our economy, removing the stimulative benefits of SNAP and even hurting farmers and ranchers along the way.

SNAP is the most effective anti-hunger program in the U.S. It reduces hunger by 30% and provides nutritious meals to one-quarter of America’s children.

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The House bill makes these cuts by limiting the USDA’s ability to update the Thrifty Food Plan, which determines SNAP benefit levels, to reflect the real costs of a nutritious diet, based on science, along with reflecting food prices that remain stubbornly high. This will make it tougher for families experiencing food insecurity as well as the food banks that aid them. These would be the largest cuts to SNAP benefits in almost 30 years if enacted. In addition, these changes will trigger more than $500 million in cuts to Summer EBT, which provides grocery benefits to children in low-income families during the summer when schools are closed, along with $100 million in cuts to The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which provides food for food banks and food pantries to distribute to individuals and families.

The House bill also would allow states to let private corporations take over determining eligibility for SNAP. Where this has been tried, replacing merit-based staff resulted in corporate skimping on careful help to people applying for or renewing benefits in order to maximize profits. It would also reverse previously enacted steps to reduce agriculture-caused greenhouse gas emissions.

During this time when many families grapple with the cost of housing and food, Congress must do everything in its power to provide relief to those who need it most.

Click “Start Writing” to send a message to Congress urging them to reject any and all cuts to nutrition programs in the FY2025 Farm Bill.

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The Urgent Once-in-a-Generation Chance: Getting Congress to Invest in our Children and Youth

June 10, 2021 @ 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

View this webinar here. View the slides here.

Critical gains for children have been made with the passage of the American Rescue Plan. But Congress needs to make ongoing investments to ensure our children’s futures aren’t permanently damaged and to shrink the gaps between poor and non-poor children and between white children and children of color. This webinar will educate advocates across the nation about the critical importance of enacting or building upon multiple provisions in President Biden’s investment plans and proposed budget.

You’ll learn from experts around the country who will illustrate the need for child care, the expanded Child Tax Credit, investment in education, and services for youth. You’ll hear from Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, President and CEO of the Children’s Defense Fund, about the health and economic crises triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and how they have exacerbated long-standing problems for children and their families. Deborah Weinstein, CHN’s Executive Director, will describe what’s before Congress and action steps advocates can take. Deborah Stein of the Partnership for America’s Children will be our moderator, and a panel of experts will take your questions. The webinar is a collaborative effort with the Partnership for America’s Children, and our moderator, Deborah Stein, is the Partnership’s Network Director.

Even if you can’t attend, be sure to register to receive a recording of the webinar and resources. This webinar will be captioned.

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Details

Date:
June 10, 2021
Time:
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
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Website:
https://youtu.be/7Ikm19-TW0I

Organizer

Coalition on Human Needs

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