Washington D.C., Sep 15, 2013 / 06:01 am
Catholic bishops have asked the U.S. House of Representatives to reject $40 billion in proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the food stamp program.
"Adequate and nutritious food is a fundamental human right and a basic need that is integral to protecting the life and dignity of the human person," said Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, Calif., in a letter to the members of the House of Representatives.
"How the House chooses to address our nation's hunger and nutrition programs will have profound human and moral consequences," added the bishop, who chairs of the U.S. Bishops' Conference's Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development.
The cuts are part of the 2013 Farm Bill, the main agricultural and food policy guide for the country, and source of funding for a number of programs and regulations in the food and agriculture industries.