NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a budget reconciliation bill Friday morning that would include deep cuts to programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid.
The cuts would result in 9.5 million meals lost every year, according to Feeding America, and would strain foodbanks like the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore which are already stretched thin adding it lines increased by 30% from 2023 to 2024.
The Foodbank of Southeaster Virginia and the Eastern Shore told 10 On Your Side it delivers 25 million pounds of food into the community equaling to 23 million meals. SNAP provides nine meals for every one meal the foodbank provides.
“Food banks cannot fill the gap left by cuts to federal nutrition programs like SNAP,” said Christopher Tan, President and CEO of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. “SNAP is our country’s first line of defense against hunger.”
The bill, which passed with a vote of 215-214, would include major changes such as:
- Shifting a portion of SNAP costs to states
- Expanding work requirements up to age 64 and to parents of children over age seven
- Capping future benefit increases by making Thrifty Food Plan updates revenue neutral
“If the Senate does not remove these harmful provisions, we will see longer lines, more families in crisis, and increased pressure on our network of community partners,” Tan explained.
The bill also included a proposed $625 billion in cuts to Medicaid, which would cause at least 7.6 million people to lose health coverage by 2034, according to budget analysts.
“We are asking our local community to join us in contacting their Senators during this critical time,” Tan added. “This is not just about policy, it’s about people. And right now, people need support, not cuts.”
