by Triada Stampas

Thanks in part to outreach from our supporters, Congress last week postponed a vote on a child nutrition bill that would cut food stamp (SNAP) benefits by $2.2 billion. Congress now has until Thursday to decide on a course of action:

• Pass a flawed child nutrition bill that, by cutting food stamp benefits, will leave low-income families less able to afford needed food;
   
• Immediately identify alternative funding sources to pass a strong child nutrition bill that improves children's access to nutritious food and leaves food stamp benefits intact; or
   
• Postpone the vote until later in the year (the post-election "lame duck session") if alternative funding cannot be immediately identified.

Now is the time to keep the pressure on Congress — please help us send the message that cutting food stamp benefits to pay for child nutrition programs is not acceptable!