Washington, D.C. – Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet released the statement below following the release of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) final rule that would significantly alter eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), taking away food assistance from hundreds of thousands of Americans nationwide, including up to 41,000 Coloradans. Earlier this year, Bennet joined a bipartisan group of 47 senators in calling on USDA to withdraw its proposal to change SNAP eligibility requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents and place limitations on states’ ability to provide assistance. The rule counters Congressional intent, as similar proposals were rejected by Congress on a bipartisan basis in the 2018 Farm Bill.
“In the midst of the holiday season, Americans struggling to make ends meet are learning that the Trump Administration will soon cut off critical nutrition assistance,” said Bennet. “SNAP is one of the most effective tools for reducing food insecurity and combatting poverty. This move will put more Americans at risk of hunger and will hurt communities across the country.”
Bennet has long-supported SNAP and anti-hunger efforts. He recently led Colorado Congressional Democrats in a letter to USDA calling on the agency to withdraw another proposal to alter SNAP’s broad based categorical eligibility, citing the devastating effects on Colorado families.