Cortland County Democratic Committee

From our Facebook Feed

1 day ago

Today is Election Day! All polls will be open from 6am to 9pm. 🗳️ Go Vote! ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

Cortland County Democratic Committee

2 days ago

Due to the ongoing federal budget impasse causing the federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that unless new appropriations are approved, November SNAP benefit payments will be suspended. The USDA contends that contingency funds (the reserve funds for SNAP) are not legally available to cover regular benefit disbursements for November.Our federal government has a responsibility to ensure essential welfare programs are uninterrupted. Shutting off SNAP benefits is a failure of governance and a breach of our social contract. The shutdown and the threat to SNAP are being used by some Republicans to gain policy or budget concessions. Using people’s food security as leverage in broader ideological and budget battles is morally and politically indefensible.Under past shutdowns, during both Republican and Democratic administrations, SNAP benefits have always been provided using available funding sources to prevent a break in benefits. While it is not clear whether past administrations used the contingency reserve or instead used other available funding sources, making use of the contingency reserve unnecessary, the guidance documents from past shutdowns or near-shutdowns make it clear that the SNAP contingency reserve was available to cover regular SNAP benefits and federal judges have now ruled that the Trump administration is required to release the reserve funding to unfreeze SNAP benefits. How can you help?Consider donating funds (preferably) or food to local pantries and other food service organizations such as those listed at www.211cortland.org/food-pantry ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook