Food Stamps (SNAP) are Threatened With Cuts!
Urge the House Agriculture Committee to Oppose Cuts or Changes That Hurt Hungry, Poor and Vulnerable People in Need!
Tell members of the House Agriculture Committee that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP-- formerly the food stamp program) helps children, seniors, and others in need. Urge them to create of a “circle of protection” around the SNAP program and to oppose cuts or other reductions to the SNAP program that will harm hungry, poor and vulnerable people.
Current Situation: SNAP helps feed millions of households every day; 76 percent of which include a child, senior or person with a disability. This also includes workers who cannot provide sufficient nutrition for their families. The House Agriculture Committee is expected to amend and debate a bill Wednesday that will cut $33 billion from the food stamp program to comply with instructions in the House-passed budget resolution.
At this time of continued unemployment and high levels of poverty, the House Agriculture Committee should oppose cuts to this effective and efficient anti-hunger program that helps people live in dignity. If cuts are necessary, the committee should first look towards reducing and targeting commodity and subsidy programs that disproportionately go to large growers and agribusiness.
The bishops acknowledge that reducing future unsustainable deficits is important but remind Congress that their decisions are not just economic but “political and moral choices with human consequences.” As pastors and teachers they offer several moral criteria to help guide difficult budgetary decisions. Read their recent letter on potential SNAP cuts here.
USCCB Position/Church Teaching: Last October in his Address on the Occasion of World Food Day 2011, Pope Benedict stated that “liberation from the yoke of hunger is the first concrete expression of the right to life.” The U.S. bishops join the Holy Father in asserting that food is a fundamental human right. In, For I Was Hungry and You Gave Me Food,” the bishops wrote, “the primary goals of agriculture policies should be providing food for all people and reducing poverty among farmers and farm workers in this country and abroad.” The U.S. bishops urge Congress to join them and other Christian leaders by forming a “circle of protection” around programs that serve hungry, poor and vulnerable people.
Contact Your House Members Now!
