Congresswoman Gwen Moore and Congressman Danny K. Davis Lead Fight to Protect SNAP Benefits for Veterans, Aging Foster Youth, and Individuals Experiencing Homelessness

The Senate’s so-called big beautiful bill (Senate Amendment to H.R. 1) eliminated SNAP work requirement exemptions for veterans, youth aging out of foster care, and individuals experiencing homelessness. As a result, these vulnerable populations will now only receive SNAP benefits for three months in the span of three years unless they comply with work requirements or qualify for another exemption.

In 2023, Congress, on a bipartisan basis, approved these exemptions for veterans, individuals experiencing homelessness and youth aging out of foster care, determining that they were necessary given the additional challenges these groups faced, including many barriers to employment. In response to the Senate’s cruel and harmful provision, Congresswoman Moore (WI-04) and Congressman Danny K. Davis (IL-07) led a letter to House Leadership opposing the elimination of these exemptions, highlighting how this provision will only worsen hardship and food insecurity. They led their colleagues in calling for these exemptions to be restored.

“SNAP is such a valuable program with FoodShare serving over 700,000 in our state. I oppose every cut made to this valuable program in this bill and am particularly galled by the effort to single out veterans, unhoused individuals, and foster youth aging out of foster care—a group that a recent House Ways and Means Committee only confirmed faces significant challenges. I am proud to have led this effort to reject one of the many problematic provisions in this deeply flawed legislation,” said Congresswoman Moore (WI-04).

“Government should help people, not harm them. SNAP is an essential program that increases food security for 244,000 Illinoisans. I reject this cruel Republican bill that threatens the food assistance for millions of Americans, and I reject the inhumane targeting of SNAP cuts for foster youth, youth experiencing homelessness, and veterans. I proudly joined with Rep. Moore to oppose the harmful provisions and to demand the restoration of protections for these vulnerable Americans,” said Congressman Danny K. Davis (IL-07).

The Members wrote, “This was a recognition that SNAP can be a vital lifeline for these especially vulnerable populations. For young people in foster care transitioning to adulthood and/or experiencing homelessness who already face numerous barriers, access to food assistance helps provide a level of stability that allows these young adults to thrive.”

The Members continued, “For young people leaving foster care or experiencing homelessness, work requirements create obstacles that can be particularly difficult to overcome due to their lack of family and social support. These requirements can hinder their ability to navigate life as independent adults and find stability through housing and employment. Additionally, an estimated one-in-nine working-age veterans experience food insecurity, which compounds the challenges many veterans face in securing well-paying jobs and affordable housing. Veterans who are women, have a disability, or are unemployed already face particularly high rates of food insecurity.”

The Members discussed the harm of removing these exemptions, writing, “Eliminating this exemption – which is already scheduled to lapse in 2030– will only create additional hardship for these groups, including young people who already have limited supports and resources and who frequently have no close family members or supportive adults that can assist them. Therefore, we respectfully urge you to oppose the Senate language to eliminate existing exemptions to support young people leaving foster care, veterans, and those experiencing homelessness from the SNAP work requirements.”

The following Members signed onto this effort: Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Rep. Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Rep. Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Rep. LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Rep. Shelia Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Rep. Deborah Ross (NC-02), Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), and Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04).

Read the full text of the letter here.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.