4 DAYS Since SNAP Funding Lapsed…Where is Mike Lawler?
66,000 New Yorkers in the 17th Congressional District Are At Risk of Going Hungry—Half of Them Children
NEW YORK — Today marks the fourth day since funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) lapsed amid the government shutdown, which is now in its second month. Because Congressman Mike Lawler and Republicans in Congress have been unwilling to come to the table and negotiate a deal to reopen the government, working families across New York are now at risk of going hungry as critical food assistance dries up.
2.9 million New Yorkers rely on SNAP assistance to put food on the table each month, including more than 66,000 residents of New York’s 17th congressional district. Though a court order has forced the administration to distribute emergency funds, the fear and uncertainty have continued as President Trump uses the program as a bargaining chip, holding thousands of New York families hostage in the process.
It begs the question: Why isn’t Congressman Lawler pressuring the administration to fully fund food assistance benefits? Is it because he already voted for the largest cuts to SNAP in history?
“Here in Tarrytown, we’ve seen a large uptick in clients' needs with the loss of SNAP funding,” said Doris Inzar, Director of the Tarrytown Community Opportunity Center.“This has put ourselves and other organizations in the area in a terrible position and in need of more food donations. Congressman Lawler needs to fight to protect the people of his district and reopen the government so SNAP benefits can start flowing once again.”
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About Empire State Voices
Empire State Voices (ESV) is a multi-year campaign dedicated to amplifying the voices of everyday working New Yorkers. ESV is fighting for economic policies that make life more affordable for constituents and holding members of Congress across the state accountable when they fail to do the same.
