Add Marianas to SNAP

Three committee chairs are among thirteen original cosponsors of legislation adding the Marianas to the national food assistance program (SNAP). I reintroduced the AYUDA Act on Thursday. First put forward in 2011, the bill is better positioned to advance in this Congress. I have a new seat on the Agriculture Committee, which has jurisdiction over the bill, and incoming chair David Scott was a cosponsor in 2011. Even though the Ayuda Act did not move forward, then, I was able to get a study of the feasibility of adding the Marianas to SNAP and an extra $30.5 million for the existing food stamp program, some of which was still available for use in this fiscal year. But my ultimate goal remains SNAP, so people in the Marianas have the same food safety protections as other Americans. Even though I got an extra $25 million for the Marianas in 2019 and another $14 million extra last year, the current block grant approach to food aid continues to fall short. Witness: Governor Torres’ removal of households from eligibility and 25 percent benefits slash last October because of funding uncertainties. I have urged the Governor to restore these households and reverse the benefit cuts, now that more funds are available.