Congress Continues to Keep Hungry Families Waiting on Fate of Nutrition Assistance Programs.....
As you’ve likely been hearing in the news, our US Congress and President Obama are continuing to negotiate on a deal to reduce the deficit, increase our ability to borrow and avoid default by August 2nd. Each day, we are hearing new information, and in our last alert, we asked you send an email to Washington’s US Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and the president. Now, it’s time to reach back out to your member of the House of Representatives. Let them know that you’re still watching, and you’re counting on them!
Unfortunately, over the weekend lawmakers continued to show signs of partisan disagreements that could pull the rug out from under families struggling to put food on the table. The House and Senate announced that they will each be crafting their own partisan deficit reduction plans, to accompany a vote to raise the debt ceiling. While both plans rely on massive cuts, the Senate plan is reported to make $2.7 trillion in cuts through 2012 without cutting funding to programs such as Medicaid and SNAP (food stamps), that are available for all who qualify. The current House plan is a short-term plan to raise the debt ceiling for only 6 months, while making $1 trillion in cuts that are likely to hit hunger-relief programs and other support for those struggling in this recession.
Although the bi-partisan “Gang of Six” plan included some strong steps towards finding a balanced approach such as an expiration of the Bush era tax breaks for the wealthiest, spending cuts with an explicit protection for SNAP, it is not gaining the ground that was anticipated.
Take Action!
As negotiations continue and the August 2nd date when the US government reaches its borrowing limit looms closer, we must keep the pressure on! Take a moment NOW to tell your US Representative that hunger-relief programs are your top priority when it comes to solving the budget deficit. Our congressional leaders are deciding how much and where to compromise. Together we can make sure that they stay strong on ensuring that vital food programs are available for the families that need them as the economy struggles to recover.
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*Information provided by Food Lifeline
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