Snap Benefits Are Needed By 42 Million Americans

Floor Speech

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Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, House Republicans are coming after the food benefits of disabled veterans who receive food assistance or SNAP, part-time college students and single moms on SNAP. House Republicans' farm bill would make the largest cuts to SNAP and food assistance programs in 30 years.

Many American families are on the brink. They rely on SNAP to put food on the table. Eighty-six percent of all SNAP benefits go to households that have children or households with older Americans or individuals with disabilities.

As chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I am also concerned about the harm SNAP cuts will bring to communities of color, including Latinos. Forty percent of Latino adults report not having enough food to eat, more than any other ethnic or racial group. Over 5 million Latinos in the United States receive SNAP to put food on the table.

Right now, a single person will receive at most $9 in SNAP assistance for food per day. To those in need, $9 can determine whether they can eat that day.

Three square meals a day should not be a partisan debate. Without SNAP, hungry Americans will be forced to choose between food to eat and necessities like electricity, running water, or medication. It is a cruel and inhumane choice we should not force on the American people.

House Democrats will continue to fight to preserve and expand access to SNAP so that no family goes hungry.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my Republican colleagues to put people over politics and join House Democrats to protect SNAP. We must stand together for compassion, dignity, and the well-being of all Americans.

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