CBC sounds alarm to protect SNAP benefits

By Lauren Burke
Contributing Writer

(BlackPressUSA) — During a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol on March 25, members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) spoke out with concern about budgetary threats to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

CBC Chair Yvette Clarke spoke of “grave concerns” about the “Republican scheme to cut billions of dollars to cut SNAP benefits that held millions of American families.”

“Twenty percent of Black households have faced food insecurity compared to seven percent of their white counterparts. Forty-two percent of all SNAP recipients are children. In fact, 4 in 5 SNAP households include a child, an elder, or an individual with a disabilties today. “SNAP is not a handout, it is a lifeline,” she added. One of the lead members of the Appropriations Committee, Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.).

“SNAP’s effects go beyond just the people in need – it’s also the farmers and the businesses that provide the food,” Rep. Bishop said standing in front of ten of his colleagues as tourists and school groups listened nearby. If there are big cuts to SNAP, “over 285,000 jobs would be at risk” Rep. Bishop pointed out.

“Real people are going to be hurt if the $230 billion in SNAP cuts are forced upon the American people,” Rep. Bishop added.

In 2023, approximately 36.8 million people in the U.S. were living in poverty, representing an official poverty rate of 11.1 percent. This figure reflects a slight decrease from the previous year’s rate of 11.5 percent, equating to about 37.9 million individuals in poverty in 2022.

This article originally published in the March 31, 2025 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.