“To be a strong, competitive nation, we must invest in children and families,” says Davis. “This budget does the opposite.”
Contacts:
Christy Felling at 202.320.4483 or cfelling@strength.org
02/13/18, Washington, D.C. – This week the White House released the President’s 2019 Budget. This proposal, which outlines the administration’s priorities for the nation, outlines deep cuts and harmful policy changes to a number of programs serving low-income families. The following is a statement from Share Our Strength Senior Vice President Lisa Davis about the impact of this budget:
“The President’s 2019 Budget sets forth a disturbing and harmful agenda.
For America to be a leader in this increasingly competitive global economy we must build a strong human infrastructure, investing in programs that build a healthy, educated, well-nourished population.
This White House budget blueprint would do the opposite, slashing programs that invest in families with children helping them with health care, affordable housing, afterschool learning programs and even food assistance.
The budget includes steep cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – $213 billion – over 10 years. It would also radically restructure how benefits are delivered, swapping half of the monthly benefit for most recipients with a box of foods chosen by the federal government, replacing family mealtime with government bureaucracy.
This makes no sense. SNAP, which serves millions of children, seniors, people with disabilities and working families, works well. Research shows that SNAP has a tremendous impact in both the short and long term, particularly for children. They are healthier, do better in school and have higher lifetime earnings when they participate in SNAP. When you consider the many hurdles facing children in families struggling with poverty, SNAP is critical to giving them a better shot at achieving their potential and their dreams. It is also one of the most efficient programs administered by the federal government.
The White House budget is a wish list, not a piece of legislation, but it still has the power to cause harm. We must stand up for these children and say enough is enough. We must fight for the programs that make sure kids get the basic food, care and skills they desperately need to grow up strong.
We look to our elected leaders to demonstrate political courage and continue the longstanding, bipartisan support for programs that prevent childhood hunger.”
ABOUT NO KID HUNGRY
No child should go hungry in America, but 1 in 6 kids will face hunger this year. Using proven, practical solutions, No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger today by ensuring that kids start the day with a nutritious breakfast, are able to get the nutrition they need during the summertime, and families learn the skills they need to shop and cook on a budget. When we all work together, we can make sure kids get the healthy food they need. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of national anti-hunger organization Share Our Strength.