In the upcoming weeks, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on the Farm Bill, impacting food programs. Earlier this year, the Society's National President, John Berry, joined other national Catholic leaders in writing a letter to the House Agriculture Committee, urging members to recommit to the Farm Bill's longstanding bipartisanship in addressing food insecurity. 

Members of Congress could strengthen the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), our nation’s core nutrition program, through the Farm Bill. At a time when more than 47 million people across every state and congressional district struggle to put food on the table, policies that weaken SNAP's reach or add unnecessary barriers ultimately harm low-income families, seniors, people with disabilities, and children who rely on SNAP to meet their basic nutritional needs.

As Vincentians who serve people in need every day, let us call on our representatives to improve SNAP’s effectiveness and equity, particularly by:

• Delaying newly enacted state cost-sharing requirements from last year's reconciliation bill,
• Eliminating the lifetime ban on individuals convicted of a drug felony from receiving SNAP, and
• Providing Puerto Rico the opportunity to transition to full SNAP participation.

 

Please take action right away and encourage your House member to include these provisions in the bill. We ask you to personalize the message by adding your experience as a Vincentian of working with neighbors in need.