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Kaptur Statement on Trump Administration SNAP Final Rule
Regarding Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents
Special to The Truth
Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur
(D-OH) released the following statement after the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its finalized
rule for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP) regarding Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs),
a decision that could impact 700,000 Americans. The rule
will restrict a states' ability to waive SNAP's three-month
time limit in areas with insufficient jobs. This new
calculation is punitive and will see nearly 88 percent of
ABAWDs hurt by the Trump Administration.
"For the holidays, the Trump
Administration continues its war on working families by
taking food out of the mouths of vulnerable Americans," said
Rep Kaptur. "The new SNAP ruling shows the 1.38 million
hardworking Ohioans who participate in SNAP that this
Administration is not interested in helping them. According
to USDA's Economic Research Service, the prevalence of food
insecurity in Ohio (13.7 percent) was higher than the
national average (12.3 percent) in 2017. In Ohio alone, we
could see 4,000 recipients lose food assistance. That is
substantial and we cannot let our neighbors starve on the
account of a negligent Administration."
"In the 2018, Republicans
tried to pass the same rule in the Farm Bill. However, the
House and Senate overwhelming passed the bill with the
measure's rejection. I will work with my colleagues over
these next few months to ensure this measure does not go
into effect in April. I strongly encourage my colleagues in
the Senate to follow suit, and understand the rule is
harmful to the sick, learning disabled, mentally ill, and/or
citizens who lack basic transportation - those we take an
oath to protect and serve. I will continue to fulfill my
Constitutional obligation as a cosponsor of the Protect the
SNAP Act.
"President Trump believes
because he and his wealthy cohorts benefited from his tax
cuts, that the rest of America did as well. That is simply
not the case. Wealth disparity in the U.S. remains high, and
those who suffer will continue to suffer under this
Administration with these kinds of policy changes. This is
an outright attack on our minority communities who live in
disproportionate income regions, and our rural community
workers who could see their jobs go overseas and be left
without a safety net.
"This year, House Democrats
passed $71 billion in funding for SNAP in the FY20
Agriculture Appropriations bill. This was with the promise
that we help serve those who endure the challenge of food
insecurity. As an appropriator, I take my duty to fund vital
programs such as SNAP personally. We must not allow the
continued malfeasance and inhumanity of this Administration
to hurt those who truly need assistance. We must be better."
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