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Staci Cox

(202) 225- 4572

 

 

Washington, DC – Today Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-4) opposed the Farm Bill that passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 251-166. She released this statement: 

 

“I oppose the Farm Bill legislation. Although I appreciate the work put forth by the farm bill conferees and recognize some provisions that support conservation, dairy farmers, and provide limited reforms to crop subsidy programs, I simply could not support a bill that would take badly needed food assistance from low-income Americans, including thousands in my state.

 

“A number of states and the District of Columbia have chosen to take advantage of an option to improve coordination with the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These states have simplified administration of both LIHEAP and SNAP to help ensure that low-income families are not forced to have to make the difficult, but often needed, choice between paying their utilities or feeding themselves and their families. As a result, these families are able to receive a more adequate SNAP benefit. The House-passed Farm Bill would essentially end this practice.

 

“Wisconsin is one of the states that has wisely chosen to take advantage of this coordination program. As a result, tens of thousands of households would be adversely impacted throughout the state by this change. In addition, approximately 850,000 households across America will see a lower SNAP benefit. According to one estimate, these low-income households will lose an average of $90 per month in sorely needed food purchasing power. The average SNAP benefit already runs out long before the month does. This change will only create more hardship. For many Americans, including the elderly and people living with disabilities, the funds that they lose are not ‘nominal’ and are vital to helping them put sufficient food on the table. This cut is in addition to the benefit cuts that took place last November for every SNAP recipient.

 

“You cannot remove $9 billion from SNAP without increasing hunger in our communities. That’s the bottom line. While I supported efforts by my colleagues that stopped some of the worst Republican-sanctioned SNAP provisions, I could not overlook the dire impact that the remaining change will have on already struggling low-income households in Wisconsin and across the nation.”  

 

To watch Rep. Moore’s floor speech in support of “Heat and Eat,” please click here.

 

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