WASHINGTON (July 29, 2020) – Ohio Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge, Chair of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations slammed the Senate’s proposed coronavirus relief legislation announced on Monday for its lack of funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as more Americans lose their jobs and fall into food insecurity. Fudge also criticized the White House for its threat to veto the House Agriculture Appropriations bill that blocks the Administration’s proposed cuts to the SNAP program.

“I am stunned at the Senate’s omission of additional funding for SNAP in its supposed ‘rescue’ package. Hunger is at debilitating levels in our country because of the pandemic, and only getting worse,” said Fudge. “Senate Republican leadership’s ability to callously drag its feet for months as more Americans lose their jobs is inexcusable. For them to do so, and then decide that unrelated billions for new military equipment, special interests that help the real estate value of the President’s hotel, or a tax deduction for fancy business lunches is worth including is unconscionable. And for them to prioritize those things over the needs of hungry families is absolutely despicable.

“But Republican attempts to hurt hungry families on SNAP didn’t stop in the Senate. The White House has threatened to veto all USDA funding in the House Agriculture Appropriations package unless it gets to cut SNAP through its proposed crackdowns on work rules and the standard utility allowance—regardless of the historic levels of additional need created by the pandemic. That means the President is willing to hold funding hostage for all USDA programs—including support for struggling farmers and rural communities—to cut the SNAP benefits working families need now more than ever.”