Poll Reveals Deep Support for Food Stamps, Opposition to Cutting Program

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Poll Reveals Deep Support for Food Stamps, Opposition to Cutting Program
01/19/2012

By an overwhelming margin, American voters oppose cutting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, as a way to reduce government spending, according to new poll data released today by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC).

Today, the Food Research and Action Center released survey findings showing that Americans overwhelmingly support anti-hunger programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the School Meal Program. With more and more Americans struggling to cobble together a healthy diet and the dramatic decline over the past decade in food spending by the average household it is no surprise.

The American public aren’t the only ones who believe in the value of these programs, Members of California’s Congressional Delegation agree. Last month, 30 members (listed below) signed a “Dear Colleague” Letter (pdf) demonstrating their commitment to protecting SNAP and the other critical elements of the nation’s nutrition safety net. The letter stated, “[i]t is imperative that we not take nutrition benefits from Americans that are struggling to stay out of poverty and to feed themselves and their family.”

For more information about SNAP, known as CalFresh in California, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has recently posted a blog with the latest facts. Or watch this video about the history of the program.

The Following Members Signed onto the McGovern / DeLauro Letter

Representative Mike Thompson (D - 01)

Representative Doris Matsui (D - 05)

Representative Lynn Woolsey (D - 06)

Representative George Miller (D - 07)

Representative Barbara Lee (D - 09)

Representative John Garamendi (D - 10)

Representative Jerry McNerney (D - 11)

Representative Jackie Speier (D - 12)

Representative Pete Stark (D - 13)

Representative Anna G. Eshoo (D - 14)

Representative Mike Honda (D - 15)

Representative Zoe Lofgren (D - 16)

Representative Sam Farr (D - 17)

Representative Lois Capps (D - 23)

Representative Brad Sherman (D - 27)

Representative Howard L. Berman (D - 28)

Representative Adam Schiff (D - 29)

Representative Henry A. Waxman (D - 30)

Representative Xavier Becerra (D - 31)

Representative Judy Chu (D - 32)

Representative Karen Bass (D - 33)

Representative Maxine Waters (D - 35)

Representative Janice Hahn (D - 36)

Representative Laura Richardson (D - 37)

Representative Grace Napolitano (D - 38)

Representative Linda Sanchez (D - 39)

Representative Joe Baca (D - 43)

Representative Loretta Sanchez (D - 47)

Representative Bob Filner (D - 51)

Representative Susan A. Davis (D - 53)