Statement attributed to Vince Hall, Chief Government Relations Officer
“It is encouraging that Congress and the White House have reached an agreement to raise the debt limit and avoid a default. However, we are deeply disappointed that the final legislation includes provisions that will almost certainly increase food insecurity among older adults.
“The compromise provisions are less severe than those in the debt limit bill passed by the House in April, but the federal government should be strengthening our nation’s food assistance programs, not making them more difficult to access. The agreement puts food assistance at risk for hundreds of thousands of older adults ages 50 to 54 who will be subject to new time limits on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Studies have shown that this approach fails to increase employment and earnings but succeeds in taking food away from people. At the same time, the agreement includes time-limit exemptions for veterans, people experiencing homelessness and youth aging out of foster care—an improvement to current SNAP policies. These new exemptions will help targeted populations, but they should not come as part of a package that will restrict food assistance for other people.
“Everyone needs nutritious food to thrive, but recent Feeding America research shows people are experiencing food insecurity in every county and congressional district in the U.S.
“Food banks will continue to do all they can to support their communities, but food banks across the country are already running low on food. Feeding America urges the White House and Congress to take additional steps to help the charitable food system access the resources needed to meet the growing demand for food assistance.”
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About Feeding America
Feeding America is committed to an America where no one is hungry. We support tens of millions of people who experience food insecurity to get the food and resources they say they need to thrive as part of a nationwide network of food banks, statewide food bank associations, food pantries and meal programs. We also invest in innovative solutions to increase equitable access to nutritious food, advocate for legislation that improves food security and work to address factors that impact food security, such as health, cost of living and employment. We partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations, and supporters, united with them in a movement to end hunger. Visit FeedingAmerica.org to learn more.