Source: US HOUSE AG COMMITTEE, 7/26/19

In a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue Friday, Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11), Chair of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations, expressed her strong opposition to a proposed rule that would eliminate states’ use of broad-based categorical eligibility under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

In the letter, Fudge pointed to the estimated 3 million or more people that would be kicked off of SNAP, including 535,000 children, as a result of the proposed changes. Additionally, she notes grocers are projected to lose approximately $3 billion in sales because of the cuts.

Fudge underscored that USDA acknowledged in its own analysis that the rule would exacerbate hunger and financial hardship for millions.

“By your own admission,” Fudge wrote, “the proposed rule may also negatively impact food security and reduce the savings rates among those individuals who do not meet the income and resource eligibility requirements for SNAP.”

Fudge also drew attention to recent alarming public comments made by Secretary Perdue in which the official indicated he believed SNAP recipients would not be adversely impacted because they have additional assets and resources.

“Mr. Secretary, no one in America wants to be on SNAP,” Fudge wrote. “To suggest otherwise is offensive and out of touch.”

Fudge formally requested an additional 60 days for affected persons and stakeholders to comment on the rule’s impacts.

To read the letter, click here.