Bread for the World is Outraged by the House Vote on the Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Bread for the World is outraged by the House of Representatives' decision to approve deep cuts to the Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps). The Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act, which includes nearly $40 billion in cuts to SNAP over the next 10 years, passed by a vote of 217 to 210. The bill will leave nearly 4 million Americans hungry, and 210,000 children without school lunches.   

In a statement early this evening, Bread for the World President Rev. David Beckmann said the following:

"As the economy slowly rebounds, more than 47 million Americans still depend on SNAP to put food on their tables. The Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act hurts hungry and poor people by slashing SNAP, increasing food insecurity, and destabilizing the economy.

"It is egregious that the House voted for the passage of the bill, as a vote in favor of this bill is a vote in favor of deep SNAP cuts," Beckmann continued. "This type of proposal specifically picks on the poorest and most vulnerable members of our society. As a country that prides itself on a strong moral grounding, this bill is unacceptable."

Earlier this year, the Senate passed a version of the farm bill that included a $4.1 billion cut to SNAP but included needed improvements to food aid. In June, the House had failed to pass a bill that would have included a $20.5 billion cut to SNAP, which Bread for the World opposed. The final bill out of the House must now be reconciled with the Senate version in a conference for final passage that will be signed by the president.

Beckmann concluded, "The fight is not over. We must continue to hold our leaders accountable and remind them that balancing the budget on poor and hungry people is distasteful and careless. Job creation and food security will ensure a stable economy.  We pray for the millions of families and children that no longer know where their next meal will come from."

Bread for the World (www.bread.org) is a collective Christian voice urging our nation's decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad.

SOURCE Bread for the World

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