Extreme House Republicans Fight to Underfund Critical Food Assistance Programs as They Kick Government Funding Can Down the Road

Congressman Zach Nunn must defend vital nutrition programs

Des Moines, Iowa – Fairness for Iowa, a coalition of grassroots organizations, calls on Congressman Zach Nunn to work with his colleagues to protect vital nutrition assistance programs used by hardworking Iowa families after Congress passed another continuing resolution (CR) yesterday—establishing new government funding deadlines of March 8 and March 22. 

Without the funding urgently needed for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and with harsh new restrictions for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Iowans could lose access to critical food assistance. Zach Nunn and House Republicans have previously voted to cut funding for WIC, in both the Default on America Act (H.R. 2811) and the September CR (H.R. 5525). Nunn also voted to put SNAP benefits at risk for Iowans by supporting harsh work requirements in the Default on America Act (H.R. 2811). Extreme House Republicans continue to threaten these programs in government funding negotiations, putting millions of hardworking people at risk of losing this vital assistance.
“Congress has yet againkicked the can down the road on funding our government, and Extreme Congressional Republicans are pushing for harmful changes to WIC and SNAP that would make it even harder for Iowa families to afford food. High food costs and economic hardships have increased demand for WIC and SNAP. Without the necessary investments in WIC and with new undue restrictions on SNAP, families including new mothers and young children would go hungry,” said Matt Sinovic, Executive Director of Progress Iowa.“It's time for Congressman Nunn to reject extreme policy demands and put the wellbeing of Iowa’s families first.”

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