Amo Forcefully Advocates for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

PROVIDENCE, RI – Today, Congressman Gabe Amo (RI-01) emphasized the danger of Republican funding cuts and highlighted the critical role that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) plays in supporting health and nutrition across Rhode Island’s First Congressional District. Starting in Newport, Congressman Amo visited the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Center — a community center and food pantry that works to fight hunger, promote health, educate children, and support families and seniors. Following this visit, Congressman Amo gathered with food assistance organizations at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank to discuss how the Republican-proposed budget cuts would likely target SNAP, a program that provides critical assistance to vulnerable Rhode Islanders, supports farmers, and promotes our state’s economy.

“The Republican plan could slash $230 billion from SNAP. These cuts on top of rising costs will make it even harder for families to put food on the table,” said Congressman Amo. “Make no mistake. Trump pledged to bring down costs on day one, but so far, he’s done the opposite. In Washington, I’m standing up to any Republican trying to cut funding for SNAP. I’ve put forward amendments and legislation to put an end to this chaos.”

“The impact that cuts to SNAP will have on low-income Rhode Islanders, on our community resources, and on our economy cannot be overstated,” said Andrew Schiff, CEO of Rhode Island Community Food Bank. “We must continue to make our voices heard and stand together in support of our most vulnerable residents.”

“When we talk about cutting SNAP benefits in the face of rising food costs, we are talking about reducing overall food security as a country. We are talking about people going hungry and losing access to essential food resources,” said Natalie Varrallo, Managing Director of Farm Fresh Rhode Island. “Well-established programs like SNAP, as well as newer programs like the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement and Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement, have been proven to help create an essential local food economy while increasing food security. Cutting these programs will have a devastating impact on Rhode Island's food system.”

“These cuts won't just harm individual SNAP users. They're going to harm our food system as a whole,” said Max Mason De Faria, Policy & Civic Education Manager at Rhode Island Food Policy Council. “Slashing our vital social safety net programs is not only harming the way we work, but our economy and most importantly, the people we call our neighbors. Now is the time to stand united. We cannot and will not let our neighbors go hungry.

“The proposed cuts to SNAP would have devastating consequences for Rhode Islanders — especially for our children, seniors, and working families who rely on this program to put food on the table,” said Kimberly Merolla-Brito, Director of Rhode Island Department of Human Services. “SNAP is more than just food assistance; it’s a lifeline that ensures no one in our community has to choose between paying rent, keeping the lights on, or feeding their family. At the Rhode Island Department of Human Services, we see firsthand the difference this program makes in the lives of thousands.”

“We’re grateful to Congressman Amo for coming to the Center to learn more about how we work to address food insecurity in our community,” said Heather Strout, Executive Director of the MLK Community Center. “Of the clients who are eligible to work, 70% of them are working. SNAP benefits are crucial lifelines for thousands of people we serve. Rising food prices have pushed our already staggering service numbers from 1.1 million meals distributed last year to 1.3 Million meals this year. We are already stretched trying to keep adequate inventory of healthy food in our pantry. A reduction in benefits will stress vulnerable families and seniors who are already living on a razor’s edge. I worry about them and I worry about how we’ll be able to help them if nutrition assistance programs are reduced or eliminated.”  

BACKGROUND

Congressman Amo serves on the House Committee on the Budget to fight for budget priorities that reflect Rhode Island values and the needs of working families across the country. The House Committee on the Budget’s chief responsibility is to draft an annual concurrent resolution on the budget that provides the framework for spending and revenue levels, the federal surplus or deficit, and public debt. The Committee is also the first step in the reconciliation process the Republican House majority is using to push the Trump Tax Scam 2.0 — a plan that could cut key programs like SNAP and Medicaid.

On February 25, 2025, Congressman Amo took to the House Floor to slam the Republican budget resolution that threatens devastating cuts to critical programs. On February 24, 2025, Congressman Amo submitted two amendments to the House Committee on Rules. The first amendment would protect SNAP, the Community Eligibility Provision, the School Breakfast Program, and the National School Lunch Program by striking the Republican budget resolution instructions to the Committees on Education and Workforce, and Agriculture. The second amendment would affirm that Medicaid is a critical program that provides health care, nursing home care, and other life-saving services to 72 million Americans, including 30 million children, and more than 306,000 Rhode Island residents. The amendment supports protecting Medicaid from possible Republican cuts to fund more tax breaks for the wealthy. The Republican-controlled House Committee on Rules refused to consider Congressman Amo’s amendments.    

Similarly, during the House Budget Committee markup on February 13, 2025, Congressman Amo offered two amendments. His first amendment would support protecting and extending Medicare’s solvency by closing tax loopholes and requiring wealthy taxpayers to contribute more to Medicare. His second amendment would strike the instructions to the Committees on Education and Workforce, and Agriculture to protect SNAP, the Community Eligibility Provision, the School Breakfast Program, and the National School Lunch Program.

The Republican budget resolution directs specific committees to achieve spending cuts or increases. Republicans leaked menu of options includes:

• At least $880 billion in cuts for the Energy and Commerce Committee, which could target Medicaid, Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium assistance, and repeal Inflation Reduction Act policies.
• At least $230 billion in cuts for the Agriculture Committee, which could target SNAP.
• Up to $4.5 trillion in new spending for the Ways and Means Committee, which could include tax cuts for the top one percent, repeal of Inflation Reduction Act policies, cuts to Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and Social Services Block Grant, cuts in Medicare payments to providers, and cuts to Affordable Care Act premium assistance.