Naugatuck Times

WASHINGTON – On May 31, following the House vote on the Bipartisan Budget Agreement, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) issued the following statement:

“After careful consideration and deep deliberation I voted no on the budget agreement put forth on the House floor tonight. I acknowledge and recognize the immense consequences of default, and do not take this vote lightly, but food security has been and will remain a hard line for me.

While I can appreciate the Biden Administration’s efforts to negotiate in an untenable situation, I could not vote for this agreement.

We are not in the position of a $31 trillion-dollar national debt because of $6 per person per day in food benefits, but as a result of broader tax loopholes. I cannot in good conscience support a legislative package that rips food out of the mouths of our most vulnerable and trades one group of marginalized people for another, with no mention of revisiting tax cuts for the rich. The Bipartisan Budget Agreement threatens long-term repercussions, creating wider disparities amongst those already food insecure. Most alarming, I fear this is not the last we will see of attacks to SNAP. This agreement puts nutrition programs at even greater risk in the Farm Bill and appropriations process. The provisions in this bill do not offer significant savings or reduce the deficit, yet time after time when concessions are needed it is at the expense of the poorest communities who have no one to stand up for them.

The reality is defense funding is increased while domestic funding  - the programs that directly help people, will be held flat without any inflationary considerations. I am aware it may be an unpopular opinion, but I firmly believe all people should eat - without exceptions. I will continue my efforts through the normal legislative process to advocate for legislation that moves us closer to a place where hunger is no longer an issue.”

Original source can be found here.