June 26, 2025

New Dems Host Roundtable Discussion on Safeguarding SNAP for Millions of Americans

Today, New Democrat Coalition Vice Chair for Outreach Salud Carbajal (CA-24), alongside House Agriculture Committee Vice Ranking Member Shontel Brown (OH-11) and Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture Ranking Member Jahana Hayes (CT-05), hosted a roundtable discussion on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) with representatives from nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, unions, and industry.

During the discussion, Members and stakeholders discussed the sweeping impacts of Congressional Republicans’ plan to cut $300 billion from SNAP, including devastating effects on state-run nutrition programs, families, children, food banks, farmers, rural economies, and more. Participants also discussed the efforts of their organizations to fight back against these cuts, and what more New Dems can do to help lift up the many voices of those who would be negatively impacted.

Reps. Salud Carbajal, Shontel Brown, and Jahana Hayes issued a statement following the roundtable:

“We thank our colleagues and our guests for participating in this crucial conversation today. As Republicans work to rip food from the mouths of hungry children, seniors, and Veterans by slashing nutrition assistance funding, New Dems are more committed than ever to safeguarding the SNAP benefits more than 40 million Americans rely on.

“Thanks to Congressional Republican efforts, the road ahead for food assistance is uncertain. But as New Dems continue our efforts to block these cruel budget cuts and advance a Farm Bill that strengthens nutrition programs, we are grateful for the continued collaboration with external stakeholders and partners that work tirelessly every day to ensure no American goes hungry.”

Reps. Carbajal, Brown, and Hayes were joined at the roundtable by New Dem Vice Chair for Policy Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), New Dem Leadership Member Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Ranking Member Jim Costa (CA-21), and New Dem Members Sean Casten (IL-06), Gil Cisneros (CA-31), Shomari Figures (AL-02), George Latimer (NY-16), Susie Lee (NV-03), and Lucy McBath (GA-06).

The following organizations were represented at the roundtable:

  • American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
  • Feeding America
  • Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)
  • FoodCorps
  • MAZON
  • Meals on Wheels
  • National Grocers Association
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