This week, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Agriculture signaled major changes to existing policy related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which would end a decades-long discretionary ban for drug-related offenses and expand eligibility for individuals participating in workforce training. JustLeadershipUSA President/CEO and JustUS Coordinating Council founder, DeAnna Hoskins, issued the following statement:
“JustLeadershipUSA and the JustUS Coordinating Council commend the Committee on Agriculture for taking up recommendations to end the discretionary ban on SNAP benefits for those convicted of certain drug-related offenses and for modifying the way in which income from workforce training programs impacts eligibility. For decades, the SNAP carveout has excluded individuals and families impacted by the war on drugs and contact with the criminal legal system from accessing basic nutritional needs and establishing food insecurity among the most impoverished communities. Additionally, those advancing their economic mobility through paid workforce development programming should not have to choose between furthering their skill sets and ensuring they can meet a basic human need to feed their families.
“These two key policy changes are long overdue, and each advances equity and accessibility for a basic human need. We urge Congress to remain steadfast in these two common sense legislative solutions while ensuring that subsequent negotiation fully funds the national need for access to nutrition.”
Learn more about the JustUS Coordinating Council at justuscc.org.