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WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) joined her colleagues in the Democratic Women’s Caucus in sending a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson urging him to revise the partisan farm bill that passed out of the House Committee on Agriculture and work with House Democrats to pass a bipartisan farm bill that helps women, families, and farmers. The proposed bill would cut $30 billion in Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits over the next ten years – the largest cut to SNAP in nearly two decades. In Delaware, more than 115,000 residents receive SNAP benefits.

The Members warned that including cuts to food and nutrition assistance programs, including SNAP benefits, in the farm bill could jeopardize its final passage, putting thousands of farmers and families in harm’s way. The letter highlights the impact that SNAP has on women and families, emphasizing that the majority of the program’s recipients are women and children, many in families experiencing poverty. 

“H.R.8467, the ‘Farm, Food, and National Security Act,’ as passed out of Committee, would cut $30 billion in food assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over the next decade, the largest cut to SNAP in nearly twenty years,” the members wrote. “This would disproportionately impact women and children, who make up the vast majority of SNAP participants.” 

“We are committed to passing a farm bill that supports both our farmers and ranchers, and nutrition assistance for women and their families,” the members continued. “We look forward to working with you to address our concerns and deliver for women across the country.” 

Since coming to Congress, Blunt Rochester has consistently advocated to protect food assistance programs SNAP and the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program from harmful cuts.

• During her first term in Congress, Blunt Rochester served on the House Agriculture Committee – the first Delawarean to do so in over 120 years.

• She played a leading role in crafting the 2018 Farm Bill reauthorization that extended funding U.S. Department of Agriculture programs related to the farm safety net; nutrition programs for children, families, seniors, and people with disabilities; land-grant and 1890 universities; and agriculture research.

• Additionally, in June 2023, Blunt Rochester introduced the bicameral OH SNAP Act alongside U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) that would significantly expand GusNIP which incentivizes low-income recipients to consume fruits and vegetables.

In addition to Blunt Rochester, the letter was signed by DWC Chair Lois Frankel, DWC Vice Chairs Teresa Leger Fernández and Nikema Williams, DWC Policy Co-Chairs Kathy Manning and Ayanna Pressley, as well as Reps. Grace Meng, Katie Porter, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Nydia M. Velázquez, Suzanne Bonamici, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick,  Maxine Waters, Veronica Escobar, Frederica S. Wilson, Shontel M. Brown, Jasmine Crockett,  Jan Schakowsky, Terri A. Sewell, Ann McLane Kuster, Cori Bush, Nanette Diaz Barragán, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Jennifer L. McClellan, Zoe Lofgren, Rashida Tlaib, Delia C. Ramirez, Susan Wild, Betty McCollum, Lucy McBath, Linda T. Sánchez, Alma S. Adams, Ph.D., Madeleine Dean, Suzan K. DelBene, Anna G. Eshoo, Jill Tokuda, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Chellie Pingree, Yvette D. Clarke, Doris Matsu, Brittany Pettersen, Melanie Stansbury, Haley M. Stevens, Becca Balint, Lori Trahan, Julia Brownley, Sara Jacobs, Val Hoyle, Deborah K. Ross, Debbie Dingell, Robin L. Kelly, Mary Gay Scanlon, Kathy Castor. Summer L. Lee, Sylvia R. Garcia, Judy Chu, Rosa L. DeLauro, Dina Titus, Chrissy Houlahan, Mikie Sherrill, Hillary J. Scholten, Barbara Lee, Marcy Kaptur, and Norma J. Torres. 

The full letter can be found here.

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