House Budget includes drastic cuts to SNAP, other safety net programs

House Budget includes drastic cuts to SNAP, other safety net programs
 
The U.S. House is expected to vote this month on the federal budget resolution passed by the House Budget Committee in July.   

The resolution passed by the House Budget Committee includes cuts of at least $203 billion to mandatory programs including food assistance, income assistance, job training programs, help for students struggling to afford college, and economic development. It also cuts $1.6 billion from the successful Community Eligibility Provision, which allows high-need schools to serve school breakfast and lunch to all children at no cost.

The budget includes more than $10 billion in cuts directed at agriculture, the bulk of which will come from cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), with an additional $150 billion in suggested cuts from dramatic downsizing and restructuring of the program. Food pantries and other local programs do not have the capacity to respond the increased need for food assistance that these cuts would create, worsening the impacts of hunger in our state.

These harsh cuts to SNAP and other poverty-reduction programs will pull the rug out beneath thousands of Montanans, including children, the elderly, low-wage workers, and people with disabilities. Please help us urge Representative Gianforte to oppose these devastating cuts and vote no on the House budget resolution. 

Thanks as always for your work on this important issue! Contact Lorianne at lburhop@mfbn.org or (406) 215-1773 for more information.

Call to Action:
Call or email Rep. Gianforte to share how important SNAP is to Montana families and communities, and urge him to oppose the House budget resolution.

• Contact Rep. Gianforte by email or (202) 225-3211

Sample message:

Dear Rep. Gianforte, I am (name) from (city/town, MT). As your constituent, I'm writing to ask you to oppose the House budget resolution. The resolution passed by the House Budget Committee will require cuts of at least $203 billion to mandatory programs that help some of the most vulnerable in our society. This includes drastic cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, making it harder for families in my community to make ends meet and keep food on the table.

While I recognize the need for fiscal responsibility, the vision for America outlined in the House budget will worsen hunger and poverty for millions of people, including tens of thousands here in Montana. The long term effects of these cuts will be felt for decades in increased health care costs, lowered educational success, and lost economic productivity. Please reject this vision for America and vote no on the House budget resolution.

(Your full name and address)
 
 
Montana Food Bank Network
5625 Expressway
Missoula, MT
www.mfbn.org
(406) 721-3825

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