House Bill Neglects Hungry and Poor People and Will Likely Increase Poverty

WASHINGTON, May 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Bread for the World is disappointed that the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill today that will further devastate the lives of hungry and poor Americans. The House approved the Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act in a party-line 218-99 vote.

"Rather than take a balanced approach to deficit reduction, and enacting a budget that forms a circle of protection around funding for programs for hungry and poor people, this budget takes an unbalanced approach, refuses to consider revenue, and disproportionately harms our most vulnerable individuals," said Rev. David Beckmann. "We must reduce our deficits, but the reconciliation bill is the wrong way to do it."

The legislation makes drastic cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps). After passing a budget resolution that cut $134 billion from SNAP, House members went further and cut another $36 billion.

In addition to the SNAP cuts, the reconciliation bill prevents nearly 2 million working families from receiving the Child Tax Credit and eliminates the Social Services Block Grant, which helps fund services for seniors and children who are victims of abuse or neglect, Meals on Wheels, and child care for low-income families.

"While this bill has passed the House, these decisions are far from over," said Beckmann. "We call upon all members of Congress to stand up and loudly oppose cuts to programs that are a lifeline for families struggling to put food on the table and lift themselves out of poverty."

Bread for the World 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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