MADISON, Wis. – Ahead of the House Agriculture Committee’s scheduled markup of their budget proposal this evening, Republicans in Congress and committee members like Rep. Derrick Van Orden have an opportunity to reject the bill’s disastrous cuts to SNAP.
According to an analysis of the package, Republicans on the committee are seeking to cut $290 billion from SNAP – nearly 30 percent of the program – in order to fund tax breaks for the wealthy. With massive funding cuts and new bureaucratic red tape, seniors, children, and families are at risk of losing the benefits that help them put food on the table. Wisconsin farmers have also spoken out on the proposed SNAP cuts and how they could jeopardize benefits for 71,000 Wisconsinites. These cuts are a result of Republicans and the Trump administration’s all-out push for new tax breaks for the ultra-rich and big corporations. With markup set to begin this evening, committee members still have an opportunity to reject these cuts and protect nutrition assistance programs.
“If these cuts become a reality, tens of thousands of Wisconsin families are at risk and would be left with more uncertainty about whether they can put food on their table—especially when the tariffs that Congressman Van Orden voted to support are raising prices across the board for working families. These cuts would be devastating to families and children who are only able to afford groceries thanks to SNAP,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “The main reason these cuts are even on the table is because Republicans in Congress and the Trump administration won’t back down from new tax breaks for the ultra-rich. Billionaires don’t have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, but Wisconsin families will if these cuts pass. Congressman Van Orden needs to keep his word and reject these cuts during the committee markup that starts tonight .”
