Rep. Swalwell Blasts Extremist Tea Party Bill that Slashes $40 Billion in Food Aid

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-15) released the following statement today after voting against an extreme Tea Party bill that would impose draconian cuts to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) which provides basic food aid to primarily help feed children, the disabled, and the elderly:

"Today the Tea Party and their Republican allies decided to make it harder on people already struggling to put food on the table by passing a bill that cuts $40 billion from nutrition assistance programs over the next ten years. This bill would deny benefits to at least four million low-income Americans, at a time when many Americans are still struggling to find work as we continue to rebound from the Great Recession.

"SNAP is a vital tool to fight hunger and help struggling Americans. In my district, more than 13,000 households receive SNAP benefits. Although there are two million fewer jobs today than in 2007, this extreme Republican bill eliminates nutrition benefits for out-of-work adults even if they live in high unemployment areas and regardless of how hard they are trying to find work.

"Today's bill is mean-spirited, short-sighted and one I proudly voted against. We should be working together to create jobs and grow the economy, not take food out of the mouths of hungry children."