Rep. Aguilar Highlights Impact of Republican Food Assistance Cuts in the Big Ugly Bill on Californians

Rep. Aguilar joined the Family Service Association of Redlands during their monthly food box distribution day, which provides over 100 meals to Inland Empire residents dealing with food insecurity

REDLANDS, CA - Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) held a press conference at the Family Service Association of Redlands to highlight the one-year anniversary of Donald Trump's and Republicans' Big Ugly Bill. This legislation made the largest funding cut to food assistance programs in U.S. history and took away SNAP from more than 4 million Americans to give billionaires and corporations a tax cut. In California, more than 300,000 people lost their CalFresh food assistance, forcing families to go hungry or rely on no-cost community food assistance organizations like the Family Service Association to get by. You can watch the full video of the press conference here.

"One year after Trump's and Republicans' Big Ugly Bill cut food assistance programs like CalFresh and took food off the tables of millions of Americans, California families are paying the price," said Rep. Pete Aguilar. "For many Inland Empire families who lost their CalFresh benefits, these cuts mean they may not know where their next meal will come from. I'm grateful for organizations like the Family Service Association of Redlands that help ensure people in our community don't go hungry. But in the wealthiest nation on earth, there's no reason that should even be a possibility. I'll keep fighting back against Republican cuts to food assistance programs and work to bring down costs so that every California family can afford the healthy meals they need to thrive."

"Family Service is grateful for the engagement of Congressman Pete Aguilar today and always," said Kyra Stewart, Executive Director, Family Service Association of Redlands. "The changes in policy and rules around Cal Fresh and SNAP land on families who will have to figure out how to navigate complicated paperwork and new work requirements. For many families, when benefits are affected, a food pantry or local food bank is the first place households will turn to. Nonprofits will never be able to replace a strong public nutrition safety net program as important as SNAP or CalFresh. Only a mix of thoughtful public policy, private support and local collaboration will be able to solve hunger issues in our region. We appreciate leaders such as Congressman Pete Aguilar who are willing to advocate for solutions."