Congresswoman Beatty Opposes Nearly $40 Billion Cut to SNAP

Beatty Opposes Nearly $40 Billion Cut to SNAP

(Washington, D.C.) – Congresswoman Beatty (OH-03) released the following statement regarding her opposition to the Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act, H.R. 3102.  Earlier today, the bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 217-210.

Today, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-3) voted against the Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act, H.R. 3102, which would cut approximately $40 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over a 10 year period. 

H.R. 3102 would authorize states to cut off an entire family’s food assistance, for an unlimited time, if the recipients do not find a job or job training position. SNAP currently aids 16% of the Ohio’s population. These additional SNAP work requirements come at a time when unemployment in Ohio is at 7.2%.

SNAP is an integral part of an economic recovery strategy that has helped ensure millions of Americans, particularly children, seniors, and veterans, do not go hungry. It has long been a vital tool in empowering struggling families to put food on their tables as they seek new employment, send their children to school, and get themselves back on their feet.  In 2011, 60,514 (21.5%) of households within the Third Congressional District received SNAP benefits.

“Americans should be uncomfortable with the devastating SNAP cuts voted on today.   Cutting SNAP – a critical food assistance program relied upon by 47 million Americans – would cause hunger, food insecurity, and threaten economic recovery.”

“The overwhelming majority of SNAP participants are children, seniors, or people with disabilities. We must unite and stand with not only the most vulnerable in our communities, but also with our small business owners and local food producers, to ensure that the benefits of SNAP continue to provide a boost to our communities and local economies.” 

“This bill will weaken our nation’s farm and rural economies and jeopardize any chance at enactment of a new Farm Bill, to support our nation’s farmers, food security, conservation, and local communities.”

“I agree with former President Reagan, who said, ‘As long as there is one person in this country who is hungry, that’s one person too many, and something must be done about it.’  As too many children, veterans, and seniors go to bed hungry each night, my vote today rejecting these shameful cuts was a vote for enacting a bipartisan Farm Bill that restores essential nutrition initiatives for nearly 50 million Americans.”

Full remarks can be viwed here: http://www.c-spanvideo.org/clip/4465362

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Greg Beswick I Rep. Joyce Beatty (OH-03) I District and Communications Director I 614.404.8477