Congresswoman Johnson Comments On The Recent Cuts In Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson commented on the substantial reduction in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that recently occurred . 

“Families throughout Texas are going through tough times. This cut in benefits hurts so many working families, mothers, and worst of all children,” said Congresswoman Johnson.  “It is unconscionable to think that while our country is still recovering from the great recession of 2008, we would leave so many families without the necessary nutrition they need to keep surviving.  This is an issue that affects Americans of all races in all states.  I will continue to work hard to get the ‘Extend Not Cut SNAP Benefits Act’ passed.”

The temporary benefit boost provided for in the 2009 American Reinvestment and Recovery Act for households across the country that are participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) ends. Working families that rely on SNAP will see their monthly benefits sharply reduced. The program is being cut by $4.8 billion in fiscal year 2014 and a total of $10.5 billion through fiscal year 2016.  This cut represents a serious blow to struggling families and will leave the average person on SNAP to receive less than $1.40 per meal.

According to a report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), in total, the cut will result in a reduction in benefits of $29 per month, or a loss of 16 meals a month, for a family of three. This reduction will push millions of SNAP participants over the cliff, including 22 million children, 9 million people who are elderly or have a serious disability, and 900,000 veterans nationwide.

Congresswoman Johnson is a cosponsor of H.R.3108, the “Extend Not Cut SNAP Benefits Act,” a one-year extension through FY 2014 of the 2009 Recovery Act boost to SNAP benefits. This week, Congresswoman Johnson also signed onto a letter to Speaker Boehner signed by the entire Democratic Caucus making clear that the final Farm Bill must be crafted in such a way as to ensure that hunger does not increase. 

Congresswoman Johnson Votes Against Deep Cuts To Food Assistance

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson voted against H.R. 3102, Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act, Republican legislation which cuts basic food aid (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/SNAP) by nearly $40 billion over ten years. The measure will deny basic food assistance for nearly 4 million Americans. The measure passed by a vote of 217 to 210.

” I voted against a debilitating bill that affects the millions of low-income American families, because many of our citizens are already living on the edge of poverty, and these cuts would virtually eliminate the assistance they desperately need,” said Congresswoman Johnson. In Dallas County, 450,000 residents are food insecure, 300,000 of which are children.”

The bill contains a number of provisions that ignore the reality that millions of Americans continue to struggle with unemployment at 6.5% in Texas. The House bill would also cut school lunches for over 200,000 children and eliminate food assistance for 170,000 veterans. The Republican bill would subsequently eliminate 55,000 jobs in the first year alone.

Congresswoman Johnson noted, “In 2011, SNAP lifted 4.7 million people out of poverty. It’s not just the black or Hispanic populations who receive SNAP benefits, but it’s the working class, the elderly, and the disabled. Cutting this program would be devastating to the millions of Americans who are working hard to provide for their families.”

Source: North Dallas Gazette