Month: January 2025

The U.S. House of Representatives is gearing up to pass massive cuts to spending programs through the Reconciliation Process, including possible proposals that would increase hunger and food insecurity in Iowa.

House Republicans are still negotiating with themselves about what proposed cuts will and will not be included, but according to a leaked memo from Rep. Jodey Arrington, Chairman of the House Budget Committee, the following proposals are being discussed:

• Cutting Iowa households’ monthly SNAP benefits by an average of $70 every month by undoing a permanent increase to SNAP
  
  
• Kicking 25,000 Iowans off SNAP by slashing income eligibility from 160% of the federal poverty level (FPL) to 130% FPL
  
  
• Eliminating access to free school meals to over 25,000 kids in Iowa by making changes to the Community Eligibility Provision
  
  
• Capping SNAP benefits for large families of more than six members
  
  
• Expanding SNAP work requirements to older adults ages 55 and 56

Iowa’s Representatives need to hear loud and clear: we won’t stand for cuts and negative changes to SNAP and other nutrition programs. If you’re not sure, you can find out who your U.S. Representative is here.

Not sure what to say? Here’s some example language you can use, but don’t forget to let them know why this issue is personally important to you!

“Hello, I’m calling today to ask the Representative not to make any cuts to SNAP or other nutrition programs in the upcoming Reconciliation bill. SNAP helps 270,000 Iowans struggling with hunger and food insecurity put food on the table. At a time when Iowa’s food banks and food pantries are seeing record numbers of Iowans turning to them for assistance, the last thing we need is cuts to nutrition programs. Thank you.”

Iowans are struggling. Costs for basic needs to continue to rise and wages aren’t keeping pace for many workers. Prices at the grocery store are stubbornly high, and pandemic-era supports have dried up.

Please contact your U.S. Representative today and tell them: Iowans cannot afford cuts to SNAP and other vital nutrition programs.

We’ll be sending along more updates as they arise, but also encourage you to follow the Food Research and Action Center, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and National WIC Association for federal nutrition updates if you’re not already receiving them.

Double Up Food Bucks Bill (SSB 1012) Passes Senate Subcommittee 3-0 Today

A subcommittee meeting for held today for Senate Study Bill 1012, a $1 million appropriation for Double Up Food Bucks that was introduced last week by Sen. Mike Klimesh, Chair of the Senate Health & Human Services Committee. A state appropriation for the Double Up Food Bucks program is a top legislative priority for the Iowa Hunger Coalition.

We are happy to report that SSB 1012 passed the subcommittee meeting 3-0 today, with unanimous bipartisan support.

Double Up Food Bucks is a triple win for Iowa: it increases access to healthy food for SNAP participants, grows markets for Iowa’s food farmers, and supports local communities.

If you haven’t already, please contact the subcommittee members below and thank them for their support of Double Up Food Bucks!

Sen. Mike Klimesh – mike.klimesh@legis.iowa.gov
Sen. Mark Lofgren – mark.lofgren@legis.iowa.gov
Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott – sarah.trone.garriott@legis.iowa.gov

Thank you to all the advocates who reached out and showed up in person and online to support Double Up Food Bucks today! We’re pleased to see such positive momentum on this bill so early in the legislative session.

We’ll report on next steps for this bill, and a forthcoming companion bill in the House, in the coming days and weeks.

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Tomorrow: HF 59 Subcommittee Meeting

House File 59 creates a Grocer Reinvestment Fund and Fruit and Vegetable Processing Grant Program, and appropriates funds to each. The bill prioritizes support to small independent grocers who procure local food and accept SNAP and WIC benefits – all good things we like!

A subcommittee meeting for HF 59 has been scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday) at 12:30pm in the House Lounge. Because this subcommittee meeting is in the House and not the Senate, you can watch the hearing online, but you may not speak.

Please contact the subcommittee members below and ask them to advance HF 59!

Rep. Mike Sexton – mike.sexton@legis.iowa.gov
Rep. Ken Croken – ken.croken@legis.iowa.gov
Rep. Shannon Latham – shannon.latham@legis.iowa.gov

Thank you for your ongoing advocacy!