Federal Updates

Congress passed a Continuing Resolution to avert a government shutdown on March 14. The bill funds the federal government through September 30 at last year’s funding levels. Flat funding and rising food prices mean the purchasing power of TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) and CSFP (Commodity Supplemental Food Program) are eroded. 

The next big threat for the nutrition programs and the low-income neighbors we serve is budget reconciliation. The House narrowly passed a budget resolution directing the Agriculture Committee to identify $230 billion in cuts—and SNAP is particularly vulnerable. The House’s resolution also calls for $880 billion in Medicaid cuts, which would directly impact many of the vulnerable neighbors we serve. Meanwhile, the Senate’s resolution calls for $1 billion in agriculture committee spending cuts. As lawmakers work to reconcile these two proposals, we are working with our Congressional representatives to make sure they understand the impact of cuts on their constituents back home. Potential cuts through budget reconciliation would also impact Congress’ ability to pass a bi-partisan farm bill by the end of the fiscal year. Already one and a half years past due, a new farm bill is critical to the safety net for America’s farmers and families and the food system we all rely on.