Tell congressmen drastic food cuts not acceptable

The Senate and House are working to pass a new farm bill this year. Sadly, both chambers have proposed to cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) that is part of the farm bill. SNAP is the first line of defense against hunger in the United States and a critical support for families and the economy. It also one of the most effectively run programs in government, with a fraud rate of only 1 percent.

The Senate farm bill cuts SNAP by $4.1 billion over 10 years. That bill passed in early June. The House farm bill cuts SNAP by $21 billion, which would kick 2 million people off SNAP and deny 210,000 low-income children free meals during school. Fortunately, the House failed to pass its farm bill.

However, on July 11, the House passed a new farm bill that excluded food assistance altogether, and now they want to pass a (separate) nutrition bill that cuts SNAP by an unconscionable $40 billion.

In Iowa, as of July, more than 66,127 families receive SNAP benefits and 5,696 are in Linn County. Many of these families are working and many are elderly.

While members of Congress are taking its five-week vacation, call their offices and tell them that these drastic cuts are not acceptable. Call Sen. Tom Harkin at (319) 365-4504, Sen. Chuck Grassley at (319) 363-6832, or Rep. Bruce Braley at (319) 364-2288.

Judy McDowell

Cedar Rapids