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Pocan Sponsors Bill to Prevent Food Stamp Cuts Beginning November 1st

October 31, 2013

$89 million cut in SNAP funding will impact more than 800,000 Wisconsinites

MADISON, WI—Starting tomorrow, November 1st, more than 800,000 families in Wisconsin who rely on food stamps will see reductions in their benefits that will make it harder for them to put food on their tables. Due to the expiration of a temporary boost to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that was included in the 2009 American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, Wisconsin will see an $89 million reduction in food assistance benefits for its neediest citizens during the upcoming fiscal year. In response, U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) has co-sponsored the “Extend Not Cut SNAP Benefits Act” to extend the modest increase in benefits for one year.

Due to these cuts, a family of four in Wisconsin could see a reduction of monthly benefits of up to $36, and the average benefit per person will drop to $1.40 for each meal.

“These cuts will make it even harder for more than 800,000 Wisconsinites to put food on the table and feed their families,” Pocan said. “While our economic growth remains tenuous, we cannot reduce support to our children, seniors and veterans who rely on these vital benefits. These types of cuts, just like the $40 billion food stamp cuts proposed by my House Republican colleagues, make millions of Americans more hungry while hurting our economy and further slowing our recovery. I urge my colleagues to join our efforts to preserve food assistance funding for those who need it most.”

SNAP funding is also a major issue of disagreement facing the Farm Bill Conference Committee that met for the first time this week. Pocan is vehemently opposed to the $40 billion in SNAP cuts proposed by House Republicans that would deny food assistance benefits for approximately 150,000 of Wisconsin’s poorest citizens.

To raise awareness on the importance of these vital assistance programs, Pocan participated in the SNAP challenge this June, where he lived on a food stamp budget of $31.50 a week.

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Issues:Agriculture