FY2013 Ryan Budget Proposal Would Increase Hunger in Vermont

Hunger Free Vermont is strongly opposed to the Fiscal Year 2013 budget proposal put forward by Congressman Paul Ryan which will harm the most vulnerable Americans.  This budget proposal would eliminate many services that are needed by Vermont communities and would particularly harm vulnerable and low-income people such as young children, students, older people, the jobless, and the uninsured.  As our economy slowly recovers programs such as 3SquaresVT (known as SNAP nationally) are actively helping people transition back to work and protecting people from the harmful effects of poverty.

This budget would cut SNAP by $122.5 billion over the next ten years by converting the program to a block grant and imposing work requirements.  This would result in millions of low-income families being removed from the program or having their benefits drastically cut, undoubtedly leading to more hunger and poverty during difficult economic times.  This budget also proposes sweeping cuts to other vital programs that serve Vermonters including Head Start, child care, WIC, veteran’s assistance, Community Development Block Grants, and jobs programs.

For decades SNAP has had broad support and has helped ensure the poorest and hungriest people in our nation can put food on the table.  SNAP’s responsiveness to unemployment proved it to be one of the most effective safety net programs during the recent recession, providing families with a stable source of food.  Dismantling this program by converting it to a block grant would make it impossible for the program to respond to vulnerable Americans in their time of need.

At Hunger Free Vermont we support the expansion of programs that put nutritious food on our families’ tables.  There is still time to stand with us to urge Congress to protect SNAP by signing the SNAP Support Letter to Senator Leahy and the Vermont Farm Bill Coalition’s 2012 Recommendations.