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WASHINGTON- Today, Congressman David Scott (GA-13), voted against House Republicans’ Budget Reconciliation bill that would steal over $300 billion in funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

“To gift trillions of dollars in tax cuts to their billionaire friends, Republicans are taking food from the mouths of those who need our help the most, including children, veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities,” said Congressman David Scott. “That is why I filed several amendments removing all SNAP funding cuts in their disastrous and cruel Reconciliation bill. When given the opportunity to protect this crucial nutrition program millions of their constituents rely on, every single Republican voted against it. I voted NO for these irresponsible cuts on behalf of the more than 280,000 Georgians in my district and the 42 million American who rely on SNAP to not go hungry.” 

“The Atlanta Community Food Bank helps neighbors facing food insecurity by connecting them to resources to meet their nutritional needs. SNAP is a key part of this effort, as more than 43% of people facing food insecurity in Georgia are eligible for SNAP benefits, according to a recent Feeding America study,” said Sarah Fonder-Kristy, Chief Development Officer of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. “The Food Bank is grateful to Congressman Scott, and his long and steadfast support for those in need of nutrition assistance through the federal government and USDA. Food banks, alone, will not be able to fill the increasing meal gap in our communities, which is why SNAP is critical to providing continued food support for those who are struggling.”

To cut more than $300 billion in SNAP funding, the Republican budget would impose unrealistic and harsh work requirements, reduce monthly benefits, and prevent benefit rate adjustments from increasing in the future. These changes will make millions of existing SNAP recipients ineligible overnight. They would also increase food insecurity across the country while Republicans are decreasing funding for other forms of food assistance, such as food banks and local pantries. As many as six million SNAP recipients could be at risk of losing benefits under this Reconciliation bill.

SNAP provides assistance to over 42 million Americans, including 1.2 million low-income veterans. In Georgia’s 13^th District, 282,731 households receive assistance through SNAP—more than half include young children. Beyond slashing more than $300 billion from SNAP benefits, the Republican Reconciliation bill calls for $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid and $330 billion in cuts to federal education programs.

In addition to leading an amendment to remove all SNAP funding reductions, Congressman David Scott led an amendment to prohibit the implementation of any provision of the bill related to SNAP until USDA and all state agencies confirm that this bill would not cause a reduction of participation in SNAP for Veterans or the surviving families of Servicemembers or Veterans who died during active duty or from a service-related disability. All Republicans voted against this amendment as well.