Rep. Tokuda votes against cuts to SNAP after 14-hour markup

After a marathon 14-hour markup in the House Agriculture Committee, US Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) voted against the Republicans’ reconciliation bill that she said would cut over $300 billion in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

The bill, which passed by a vote of 29-25, now heads to the House Budget Committee, which will compile Republicans’ reconciliation package.

During the markup, Tokuda offered several amendments, including one that would prevent the bill’s cuts to SNAP from going into effect until the US Department of Agriculture and states certify there would not be an adverse impact on rural communities. 

She also debated other amendments offered by Democrats to prevent any cuts to SNAP, protect the Local Food Purchase Agreement and the Local Food for Schools programs, which provided millions of dollars in funding to Hawaiʻi and more.

As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research and Biotechnology, Tokuda would have offered another amendment that would require the USDA to issue guidance for agricultural producers on its Advancing Markets for Producers program, which replaced the Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities program.

“This bill doesn’t just trim around the edges, it guts SNAP, one of the most effective, anti-hunger, anti-poverty programs we have. SNAP puts food on the tables for working families, children, seniors, veterans and persons with disabilities. It supports local economies, yes, including farmers, ranchers and rural grocers who rely on that spending to stay afloat. So let’s call this what it is: a cruel, calculated choice. A false choice that takes food away from hungry families on a larger scale than ever before in our history,” said Tokuda during her opening remarks.

For a summary of Republicans’ agriculture and nutrition-related provisions in the reconciliation bill, please see here.