Harmful House reconciliation bill threatens critical nutrition programs

If enacted, the Budget Resolution just passed by the House of Representatives would drastically weaken federal nutrition programs that millions of Americans rely on.

House Republicans have passed sweeping cuts that will severely limit food access for children and families living in households experiencing food and nutrition insecurity. It is appalling that, when grocery prices are already too high, House Republicans’ response is to propose curtailing access to free and reduced-price school meals, limiting access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and reducing SNAP benefits.

Offering free meals for all students in a school is associated with improved diet quality, food security, and academic performance. SNAP plays a critical role in providing access to nutritious foods and reducing food insecurity for one in five children. If these cuts are enacted into law, millions of children and families would lose access to healthy school meals and could no longer be eligible for SNAP benefits.

Cuts to SNAP and school meals are not just cuts to beneficiaries—they affect the entire food system and the entire food workforce. Every dollar of federal SNAP benefits generates $1.79 in economic activity. These cuts will impact farmers, truckers, grocers, small business owners, and families across the country.

What’s worse is that these draconian cuts to programs that support the most vulnerable will be used to pay for a massive tax break for the rich. We strongly urge the Senate to reject this harmful legislation and work toward bipartisan solutions that protect and enhance our nation's critical nutrition safety net instead of undermining it.