Statement by Kathy Underhill, executive director for Hunger Free Colorado, in response to today’s defeat of the Farm Bill (195-234 vote) in the U.S. House of Representatives:
“The failure of this federal Farm Bill means that cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) won’t be devastating to thousands of families and individuals across our state. This version of the bill would have slashed SNAP nutrition benefits by more than $20 billion—impacting an estimated 55,710 Coloradans currently utilizing the public health program that serves as a safety net during times of need. The bill also would have been harmful to important nutrition education programs that help families receiving SNAP benefits stretch their food budgets.
We are grateful for the Colorado delegates—Rep. Diane DeGette, Rep. Ed Perlmutter and Rep. Jared Polis— who opposed the SNAP cuts and voted against the bill. The substantial cuts to SNAP would have affected so many neighbors struggling to make ends meet and put food on their tables, including working families, children and seniors.
Hunger is a serious problem in our state, with more than 800,000 Coloradans at risk of hunger. Instead of making harmful cuts, we need to protect SNAP so we can ensure that everyone in our state has access to nutritious, affordable food.”
Media Contact: Michelle Ray, Director of Communications, (720) 432-0255