Today Congresswoman Dina Titus released the following statement on her amendment to restore funding for programs to reduce hunger. Titus’ amendment authorizes $5 million per year for the Hunger-Free Communities Program and directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide additional funding from the Commodity Credit Corporation. This program has already helped fourteen communities across the country, from New York City to Ajo, Arizona. Urban, rural, and suburban communities each face different challenges in the effort to end hunger and these grants have made it possible for state, local, private, and non-profit entities to work together and develop a system to reduce hunger and food insecurity.

“I am very disappointed that the House did not accept my amendment to restore even $15 million to the effort to end hunger in the U.S.,” Titus said. “As we consider cutting $20.5 billion from the SNAP program, the least we could do is restore the funding to the Hunger-Free Communities Program. This program received bipartisan support and is included in the Senate Farm Bill.  I will continue to advocate on behalf of our communities to ensure they have the resources they need to root out the causes of hunger and build strategies to eliminate food insecurity. As the wealthiest country in the world, it is morally unacceptable to allow any of our children to go hungry.”