Washington — The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture passed legislation Wednesday that would cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly Food Stamps) by $36 billion over ten years, an estimated $17 billion of which would serve children. First Focus Campaign for Children’s analysis shows that 49% of SNAP funding benefits children, by providing milk, vegetables, and other groceries for more than 20 million children. The committee, which also has jurisdiction over a wide range of agriculture programs including corporate agribusiness and export subsidies, singled out SNAP for cuts. One in five American children goes to sleep at night not sure whether they or a family member will go hungry the next day. In response to the cuts, First Focus Campaign for Children President Bruce Lesley released the following statement:

“This attack on child nutrition shows just how out-of-touch House leadership is with the problems facing American families. Adding insult to injury, the Committee protected agribusiness and export subsidies and targeted cuts only on investments that help hungry children. The House should reject this shortsighted plan, so millions of kids can continue to get the food they need to grow and learn.”