Congress, [take] SNAP out of it please! (Part II)
Posted by Michael McKenna on Monday, May 2, 2011
In part one of this post, I explained the reason why SNAP works counter-cyclically. So here’s why I’m asking Congress to take SNAP cuts out of their budget proposals. As I shared in this video blog, the House budget contains $127 billion in cuts over ten years, plus a plan to convert SNAP to a block grant in 2015. While the cuts are severe enough, the block grant is a structural change that is an even bigger cause for concern. To be fair, proponents of the block grant will tell you that it gives more flexibility to the state government to decide how to spend the money, and for some kinds of programs it actually makes sense to allow for that kind of setup.
But here’s the rub…each state only gets a fixed amount of money, which doesn’t make sense for a counter-cyclical program like SNAP. When that money runs out, that’s it. The state can either pick up the tab, or change the criteria for whose eligible, or cut benefit levels, or start waiting lists – none of which are good options for those in need.
It doesn’t matter if there’s a hurricane or major increases in food prices or a financial meltdown. In essence, the SNAP blueprint gets drastically changed to the point that it can no longer respond to the poor as needed.
During past attempts to cut the deficit in the 1990s and 1980s, programs like SNAP were always ultimately protected by a bipartisan group because they work, and form a critical support for families in bad times. And did I mention that 49% of SNAP recipients are children! Why would we want to put our children’s health at risk?
So please ask your Senators to reject SNAP cuts and structural changes like those in the House proposal in their own budget debates. You can find your Senator with a search tool in the top right of the page on http://senate.gov/. Then you can call your Senator by calling the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
When the operator in your senator’s office picks up, say:
• I am a constituent of Senator _.
• I am very worried about the cuts to SNAP (the food stamp program) in the budget resolution that passed the House two weeks ago.
• USDA recently reported that SNAP helped to prevent more Americans from going hungry during the Recession.
• Nearly half of SNAP recipients are children and it’s unfair that they be asked to go hungry as part of any plan to reduce the deficit.
• I ask Senator _ to ensure that SNAP is protected from major cuts and spending caps during the debate over the 2012 budget.
• Thank you for your time.
Let us know how your call went by leaving a comment here on the blog or writing us at info@strength.org!
May 2, 2011 | 0 comment(s) | Tags: congress, no kid hungry, snap
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