7.2.12 The House Agriculture Committee is scheduled to discuss serious cuts to SNAP/CalFresh benefits and eligibility during a July 11 hearing. Changes under consideration could reduce CalFresh benefits by at least $15 billion nationally over the next decade.The U.S. Senate voted to reduce SNAP by $4.5 billion when it passed S.3204 (the Senate version of the Farm Bill) in late June. Both of California’s senators supported the Gillibrand Amendment, which unsuccessfully proposed to restore the $4.5 billion cut in benefits made by the Senate Agriculture Committee.
As the House moves to enact its version of the Farm Bill, CFPA urges California’s three Agriculture Committee members – Representative Baca, Representative Cardoza and Representative Costa – to reject the SNAP cuts under consideration in the House. With only about fifty percent of eligible Californians participating in SNAP and millions continuing to struggle with food insecurity and hunger, this is not the time to reduce benefits or restructure the most effective tool policymakers have to prevent hunger.
As more details emerge, CFPA will provide a California-specific analysis to estimate the potential impact on Californians experiencing food insecurity.
Take Action! Tell California’s three Congressman who serve on the House Agriculture Committee to oppose cuts to SNAP/CalFresh in the Farm Bill. The California Association of Food Banks (CAFB) has developed sample letters that you can send to Rep. Baca, Rep. Cardoza, and Rep. Costa – send your letter today!
Take a look at CAFB’s Federal advocacy page for links to sample letters. link
