GOP to hungry children: “Let Them Eat Cake”
Thousands of WI children to lose food assistance under House GOP Farm Bill
MADISON – After prioritizing massive tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy, House Republicans are now proposing widespread cuts to food assistance programs that will impact thousands of children. Wisconsin families stand to lose $23.8 million annually as an estimated 23,369 children would become ineligible for need-based food assistance. Children in rural and conservative-leaning communities would be hit hardest by these cuts.
“It’s bad enough Republicans fought to give millionaires another tax break,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse). “But then to turn around and deny low-income children access to food. It’s unthinkable. How can Republican politicians justify these horribly misplaced priorities that favor the wealthy at the expense of vulnerable children?”
“The message Republicans are sending to hungry, low-income children is as clear as it is callous,” added Shilling. “A ‘Let them eat cake’ mentality is no way to approach the serious issue of childhood hunger and widespread food insecurity that millions of families across our country struggle with on a daily basis. With a little compassion and commonsense, I hope we can protect children and put the needs of Wisconsin’s working families ahead of wealthy special interests.”
The federal farm bill, which has traditionally benefited from bipartisan support, has become more polarized in recent years as House Republicans seek to limit access to food assistance. H.R. 2 was passed out of committee by Republicans and is expected to be debated on the House floor early this month.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
Please let me know where we don’t feed children?
My kids can get a free lunch every day in the summer at any city park. There are several within walking distance. The same would be true of the rest of the year if they attended a public school.
Ever heard of SNAP? My Church runs a food pantry that helps fill in the gaps, and there is another community wide food pantry run by an ecumenical group. Other non-Church groups also offer assistance.
Why does this problem require more government funding? We seem to be doing just fine in my community. Maybe every other community should also band together to take care of each other and pick up the slack.
Federal eligibility for SNAP is a gross income of no more than 130% of the Federal Poverty Limit (FPL) guidelines. The report you link says that Wisconsin will presently give food stamps to households earning 200% of the FPL and the proposed bill stops that. When did 200% of the FPL become the “new” definition of “low income?” Money intended for the poor should not be spent on people who Are. Not. Poor.