Hoyer, Lee Statement on Reports of a Republican Proposal to Significantly Cut Nutrition Assistance

WASHINGTON, DC – Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA), chair of the Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity, released the following statement today in response to reports that House Republicans are proposing cuts to nutrition assistance in a spending cut package to help get votes for their budget resolution: 

“When Paul Ryan assumed the Speakership, we wrote him a letter urging him to work with us to take real, meaningful action to address poverty. Instead, new reports indicate that House Republicans are taking unilateral action that would exacerbate poverty and leave millions hungry in an effort to unite their conference around their extreme budget proposal.

“The idea that we can address the very serious challenge of hunger in America while cutting tens of billions from nutrition assistance is preposterous.  Our resources are already stretched thin when it comes to combatting hunger, especially among children. Once again, Republicans are putting politics before hungry Americans.

“Make no mistake, these additional cuts will do one thing only: drive more American families into poverty. We urge Republicans to abandon their shortsighted plans to balance the budget on the backs of hungry kids and families.”