Meng Blasts Legislation Passed This Evening That Radically Slashes Funding To Food Stamps

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) today blasted the Republican leadership in the House for passing legislation that radically slashes funding for food stamps, a move that stands to severely impact Queens.

The measure cuts $39 billion over 10 years to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) which provides vouchers to low-income individuals so that they can purchase needed food.

“The cuts made by the GOP are disgraceful and they stand to devastate many in Queens who are struggling to put food on the table,” said Meng. “These include scores of local children, veterans, seniors, workers and other borough residents whose major reliance for food is on this vital program. This doesn’t just remove the safety net we provide to those in need. It yanks it away, slashes it into pieces and throws it in the garbage.”

Presently 36,311 households in Meng’s district in Queens receive assistance from SNAP. Fifty-four percent of these households include children, and 44.2 percent have one or more individuals age sixty and over.

In New York, 3,159,000 individuals benefit from the program and across the country, 47 million Americans receive aid, the average of which is $133 per month. SNAP also has an economic multiplier effect; every dollar in new SNAP benefits results in $1.80 in total economic activity.

The legislation to slash the funding was brought up for a vote late this afternoon by House Majority Eric Cantor (D-VA) after Republican lawmakers demanded deep cuts in food assistance.

“I cannot comprehend how Republican leaders can turn their backs on those who are in need of food,” Meng added. “Nobody in Queens, New York or America deserves to go hungry, especially our children, seniors, veterans and others who struggle to make ends meet each and every day. Shame on the Republican leadership for ramming through these draconian cuts. We will do all we can to make sure they never see the light of day.”

The legislation passed by a vote of 217 to 210. All Democrats voted against it. The measure must now be reconciled with the Senate’s version of the bill which cuts much less; approximately $4.5 billion over the next decade.

The following are the remarks Meng delivered on the Floor of the House this afternoon:

Mr. Speaker: Unfortunately, this is the second time this year the other side of the aisle has proposed funding SNAP at a level that completely disregards the purpose of the program. This newest iteration disrespects families struggling to survive and parents who are unable to feed their children. It doubles down on a determination to end hunger assistance and increase the suffering of our nation’s most vulnerable. There is only one word that comes to mind: Cruel. Cruel to seniors. Cruel to children. Cruel to veterans. Cruel to people struggling to survive with a shred of dignity.

Children, elderly, disabled and currently employed make up 92% of SNAP recipients.

Yesterday an elderly veteran called my office about his incredible struggle to purchase enough food. He said that without SNAP he does not know how he’ll survive.

I want to take time to thank the organizations in my district and throughout New York City: Queens Jewish Community Council, Masbia, CPC, KCS, South Asian Council for Social Services and the Hispanic Federation for the amazing work they do every day to help our community. I want to take this opportunity to reaffirm my commitment to the millions of people relying on SNAP and the millions more that oppose cutting this program.