As Rep. Molinaro Threatens to Make SNAP Benefits Melt Away, Saugerties Residents Gather for Ice Cream and Important Conversations
Despite Promises to Protect Food Assistance, Congressman Molinaro Just Voted to Slash $30 Billion in SNAP Benefits Over the Next 10 Years
SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK — Yesterday, Empire State Voices kicked off the summer season in Saugerties with an ice cream social event in Seamon Park. Local residents stopped by for free ice cream and discussed some of the issues that matter most to them.
One focus of the day’s conversation centered around the current threat to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Despite his promises to protect the program, Congressman Marc Molinaro recently voted to cut $30 billion in future SNAP benefits over the next ten years—a move that could force millions of New Yorkers to go hungry. This broken promise has led many residents in the Hudson Valley to question Molinaro’s commitment to fighting for working people.
Locals enjoy free ice cream at summer kick-off in Saugerties, NY. | Credit: EMPIRE STATE VOICES
More than 2.8 million New Yorkers, including 851,000 children, rely on SNAP benefits each month to help put food on the table—that’s one in every seven people across the state. As food costs continue to rise, adjusting SNAP benefits to keep up with inflation is essential. Much of this adjustment is done through increases to the Thrifty Food Plan, a sample grocery budget that reflects the cost of feeding a family of four on a healthy, budget-conscious diet.
Rep. Molinaro’s recent vote as part of the House Agriculture Committee would prevent any future increases to the Thrifty Food Plan, preventing increases in benefits to keep up with rising costs. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that such a move would cut $30 billion from the program’s benefits over the next decade, money that hungry families desperately need.
Congressman Molinaro recently voted to cut $30 billion in future SNAP benefits over the next ten years. | Credit: EMPIRE STATE VOICES
Before voting for the cut, Congressman Molinaro stated emphatically, “This bill does not cut SNAP benefits. Period. End of sentence. It does not cut SNAP benefits.” The Congressman is wrong.
“Congressman Molinaro broke a huge promise. He often cites his experience growing up on SNAP as proof of his commitment to the program, but this vote proves otherwise,” said Zachary Tirgan, NY-19 Regional Organizing Director for Empire State Voices. “Banning the USDA from updating the Thrifty Food Plan is a cut to future benefits, plain and simple. If you’ve ever gone to the grocery store and been surprised at the prices, you understand that food costs aren’t static. If we don’t allow benefits to keep up with inflation, hardworking families in New York will go hungry. Period. End of sentence.”
To learn more about the campaign, please reach out to press@empirestatevoices.org
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About Empire State Voices
Empire State Voices (ESV) is a multi-year campaign dedicated to amplifying the voices of everyday working New Yorkers. ESV is fighting for economic policies that make life more affordable for constituents and holding members of Congress across the state accountable when they fail to do the same.
