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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Joseph Rendeiro
jrendeiro@nclr.org
(202) 776-1566
Today, families who rely on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), formerly known as food stamps, will see a substantial reduction in benefits as an automatic $5 billion cut in the program is set to take effect. The cut will reduce benefits by about 5%, costing the average family about 16 meals per month.
“We have long opposed this cut which will result in families seeing SNAP benefits drop overnight with the prospect of more cuts to come,” said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR (National Council of La Raza). “On top of this cut, legislation being considered in the Senate would slash SNAP by another $4 billion, while the House of Representatives is pushing to gut the program by $40 billion. These unnecessary and downright cruel measures will only serve to cut off access to healthy food for our families.”
SNAP is one of the most effective tools to keep children from going hungry and low-income families out of poverty in this nation. Approximately 47 million Americans rely on the program, with Latinos accounting for about 17% of participants. While some in Congress continue to push for cuts to programs such as SNAP in order to reduce the deficit, this approach is overwhelmingly unpopular with Latinos. Three out of four Hispanics oppose closing the deficit by cutting social programs such as SNAP that help the poor. Additionally, SNAP benefits the economy as a whole by helping to boost activity in the agricultural, retail, and transportation sectors.
“Some in Congress are prioritizing arbitrary deficit reduction over feeding America’s children,” added Murguía. “Risking the health of America’s future is irresponsible. We need Congress to instead invest in our future by ensuring that children who will need SNAP in their lifetime are properly fed. Our lawmakers must avoid senseless cuts to SNAP and pass a responsible long-term budget.”
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