Congress advances reconciliation package – prioritizing tax cuts for the rich over Americans’ health and nutrition

Today, Congressional Republicans advanced a legislative package that prioritizes tax cuts for the wealthy over food, nutrition, and public health for millions of working-class US residents.  

In order to secure these tax cuts for some of the wealthiest people in the world, Republican budgetary plans require severely limiting food access for children and families living in households experiencing food and nutrition insecurity. Even as food prices increase and uncertainty grips the economy, Congressional Republicans’ response is to advance a partisan political agenda that will in all likelihood curtail access to healthy free school meals for millions of children and families, could cut Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by as much as 20 percent, increase barriers to accessing the program, and burden state governments with major cost-sharing requirements.

CSPI is disappointed to see Congress advance this partisan, harmful legislation. We urge Congress to abandon this damaging budget resolution and these cuts, and to work toward bipartisan solutions to protect and enhance our nation's critical nutrition safety net instead of undermining it.