Conyers Calls for Immediate Consideration of his Extend – Not Cut – SNAP Legislation

(DETROIT) – Today, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is scheduled to be reduced dramatically due to the expiration of funding provisions in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009. This will make it increasingly difficult for millions of Americans to put food on the table; children in particular will suffer as nearly half of all SNAP benefits go towards feeding low-income youth. In reaction to this reduction in nutrition assistance benefits, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued the following statement: 

U.S. Representative
John Conyers, Jr.

“Beginning today, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP – will be drastically reduced by $5 billion for fiscal year 2014 as the temporary boost provided by the Recovery Act of 2009 expires. This reduction will hit millions of our least fortunate friends, family members, and neighbors, including 1,775,000 SNAP recipients in Michigan alone. At a time when millions of Americans are still struggling in the aftermath of the Great Recession, this reduction is both callous and counterproductive,” said Conyers.

“Last month, I participated in the SNAP challenge, living on a bare-bones diet of $1.50 per meal. The experience was shocking; I cannot imagine a further reduction of $36 a month for an average family of four. And unfortunately, the reduction today in nutrition assistance benefits comes on the heels of the Republican Majority in the House passing legislation with $40 billion in additional cuts to the SNAP program.

“The irony is that as we approach Thanksgiving, a holiday celebrating the bounty of our great Nation, individuals at the bottom of the economic ladder are being denied even less than a decent meal. Fortunately, there is an easy way to fix this problem. H.R. 3353, the ‘Extend Not Cut SNAP Benefits Act,’ provides a one year extension of the 13 percent benefits increase found in the Recovery Act. With 46 co-sponsors already, momentum is building, but it is crucial that we act swiftly to assist those most in need.”

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