Republicans Pick on Hunger … Hungry kids, grandparents, the working poor

What’s at stake? As House Republicans deny Farm Bill funding for essential programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),  Women, Infants, Children (WIC),  Meals on Wheels, and more, Democrats are teaming up to protect vulnerable women, our seniors, and kids.

At a time when many Republicans vehemently oppose birth control and abortion, they also demand food assistance programs be cut back.   As just one of many examples they target, WIC supports pregnant women and their babies up to one year of age with supplemental feeding;  the program saves about $4 for every $1 spent because aftercare costs are reduced.

Of course, attacking food assistance also attacks farmers since farmers grow the food that Republicans want to withhold.

The Hagstrom Report was first to report House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. appointed a Task Force on Agriculture and Nutrition today.

‘Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, a member of the task force, said it was formed “to combat House Republican attacks on essential programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and Meals on Wheels.”

“It’s unthinkable that as millions of Americans — many of whom are children — go hungry, Republicans are threatening to strip away essential programs that help put food on the table,” Pingree said.

“The Task Force on Agriculture and Nutrition is an important new line of defense to protect these programs against heartless and dangerous GOP attacks; I’m deeply honored to be chosen to serve alongside my Democratic colleagues from every corner of the country to support farmers and fight hunger.”

“This task force will help lead the way to push back aggressively. Equally significant, the task force will continue to honor our commitment to the farmers that feed our nation. From crop insurance to commodities and trade, agriculture policy forms an important pillar of our economy. We must ensure that our farmers have the resources needed to thrive in the 21st century.

“The members appointed come from nearly every corner of our nation and bring a wide range of experience on agriculture and nutrition issues. I appreciate that Rep. Bennie Thompson [D-Miss.] has agreed to chair the task force and will bring his leadership experience and policy expertise to this important work.”

Besides Pingree and Thompson, the members of the Task Force are Democrats Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, Mark Pocan of Wisconsin, Lou Correa of California, Sharice Davids of Kansas, Josh Harder of California, Jahana Hayes of Connecticut, and Kim Schrier of Washington.

In the wealthiest country in the history of the world, no one in America should go hungry,” said Jeffries. …”