The U.S. House of Representatives is gearing up for a full vote on the House budget reconciliation bill, a massive legislative package that includes the largest cut to SNAP in the history of the program.
The bill directs $295 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over the next 10 years, a nearly 30% funding cut to the program. There is not a way to make such massive cuts to SNAP that will not cause harm.
We’ve previously outlined the specific threats to SNAP included in the House budget reconciliation bill, including proposals to leave states on the hook for tens of millions of dollars – likely leading to programmatic cuts, expanding work reporting requirements to older adults and parents of school-age children, kicking refugees off the program, and eliminating the SNAP Nutrition Education Program (SNAP-Ed).
In addition to the SNAP cuts, the budget resolution also includes the largest cut to Medicaid in history and deep cuts to Medicare and Pell Grants. And when families lose access to SNAP and Medicaid, they can also lose access to free school meals.
Now is a critical time to contact your U.S. Representative and urge them to reject these harmful cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and other essential programs!
Not sure what to say? Here’s a script you can use:
“Hello, I am calling today because I am a constituent and I am urging the Representative to reject the $295 billion in cuts to SNAP included in the House budget reconciliation bill. This would be the biggest cut to SNAP in the history of the program. According to Feeding America, 12% of Iowans experience food insecurity, including 17% of children. Food banks and food pantries across the state continue to see record-breaking need. I am asking the Representative to please vote NO on the House budget reconciliation bill.”
Questions? Reach out to us at iowahungercoalition@gmail.com.
Hello, I am calling today because I am a constituent and I am urging the Representative to reject the $295 billion in cuts to SNAP included in the House budget reconciliation bill. This would be the biggest cut to SNAP in the history of the program. According to Feeding America, 12% of Iowans experience food insecurity, including 17% of children. Food banks and food pantries across the state continue to see record-breaking need. I am asking the Representative to please vote NO on the House budget reconciliation bill.”