Congressman David Scott (GA-13), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, today urged robust support of federal nutrition programs, including the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), from both House Committee on Appropriations Chair Rosa DeLauro and Ranking Member Kay Granger in the FY2022 appropriations process.
“We cannot rest easy,” wrote Congressman David Scott. “The pandemic is still ongoing and even with rates remaining static, more than 10 percent of Americans – or 13.8 million households – have difficulty affording enough food for their families.”
In the letter, Congressman David Scott highlighted the food security successes of local food banks and faith-based charity organizations last year attributed to additional TEFAP and SNAP investments from Congress during the pandemic, while cautioning that increased investment will remain vital as demand for assistance continues and signaling his support for new, additional protections for SNAP recipients by providing a “such sums” appropriations to ensure SNAP does not run out of money.
“SNAP has been a critical lifeline for more than 40 million Americans during the pandemic.” the letter continued. “However, unlike federal social safety net programs, SNAP is reliant on the annual appropriations process, putting the program – and the millions of Americans it serves at risk during a shutdown or unexpected increase in participation. Therefore, I strongly support inclusion of the House passed […] ‘such sums’ appropriations for the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2022 in the final Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies bill.”
