Texas Representatives Veronica Escobar (D) and Sylvia Garcia (D) took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to celebrate the 59th anniversary of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Rep. Escobar assured her followers that she would defend the legislation that’s been around for over half a century.
“The Food Stamp Act of 1964 authorized SNAP, a lifeline for millions of Americans nationwide. For as long as I’m in Congress, I remain committed to protecting this vital program.”
The Food Stamp Act of 1964 authorized SNAP, a lifeline for millions of Americans nationwide.
For as long as I’m in Congress, I remain committed to protecting this vital program. https://t.co/KvvNcIoESE
— Rep. Veronica Escobar (@RepEscobar) August 31, 2023
Similarly to Escobar, Rep. Garcia emphasized how the nearly 60-year-old program continues to help the state of Texas.
“Happy 59th birthday SNAP! SNAP helps 3.7 million Texans combat food insecurity. @HouseDemocrats and @HouseAgDems are working hard to preserve and strengthen this program!”
Happy 59th birthday SNAP! 🎂
SNAP helps 3.7 million Texans combat food insecurity. @HouseDemocrats and @HouseAgDems are working hard to preserve and strengthen this program! 👩🌾🌾🍽️ pic.twitter.com/TmhPwBJAz4
— Rep. Sylvia Garcia (@RepSylviaGarcia) August 31, 2023
According to some Democratic lawmakers, SNAP has come under attack from Republicans.
Led by House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member David Scott (D), Democratic representatives wrote a letter to Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R) expressing concern for the status of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
“We are writing today to express our concerns about continued comments from your leadership team that could jeopardize the consideration and passage of a bipartisan farm bill in the House,” reads the statement.
The letter warns of the harmful effects of meddling with the program.
“You have seen what happens when leadership gets involved in dictating the details of the farm bill, particularly when the issue involved is SNAP, the safety net for America’s working poor and elderly.”
Previous iterations of the Farm Bill were affected by the differences across party lines. The letter further emphasizes the importance of the program for farmers and ranchers.
“The failures of the 2014 and 2018 House versions of the farm bill their first time up for consideration caused a great deal of anxiety in rural America. That should be enough of a reminder to you that playing partisan SNAP politics does nothing to address the needs of our farm and ranch families who depend on the other components of the farm bill, whether it’s the farm safety net, conservation, trade or other titles.”
The letter requests that the bill is not tampered with, but instead left to the members of the committee.
“The continued threat of making additional changes to SNAP eligibility or benefits is not helpful and even undermines Chairman Thompson as he works with his Democratic and Republican membership to bring a bipartisan farm bill out of the Agriculture Committee.”
