Rep. Vargas Outraged that Congress Decimates SNAP Benefits For Millions of Hungry Americans
Washington, DC (September 19, 2013) –Today, Congressman Juan Vargas (D-CA) issued the following statement after Congress passed the “Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act,” Republican legislation which cuts basic food aid in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by nearly $40 billion.
“I was extremely disappointed to see my colleagues decimate SNAP benefits for more than 4 million Americans who rely on these benefits to survive. SNAP is a vital tool to fight hunger and help struggling Americans feed their families as they work to get themselves back on their feet. More than 90% of people on SNAP are children, veterans, the elderly, disabled, or already working, and yet have difficulty putting food on the table. These draconian cuts will do nothing except take food out of the mouths of our most vulnerable.
“My vote against the devastating cuts to SNAP was the right and moral thing to do. I was hopeful that our leaders would to come together to protect the people they were elected to serve; however, the passage of this bill only hurts those already in dire situations. Hunger should not be an issue in the wealthiest country in the world.”
Vargas represents California’s 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California’s entire US/Mexico border. Vargas is currently serving his first term in Congress. He represented the 40th California State Senate District from 2010-2012, the 79th California State Assembly District from 2000 – 2006 and served on the San Diego City Council from 1993 – 2000.