Supporting our Farmers, Supporting our Families

As unemployment numbers continue to surge, the number of families struggling with hunger and experiencing food insecurity sadly will rise steadily alongside it. I've strongly advocated for increasing the SNAP benefit during these difficult times and I'm heartened to hear that this is one of Speaker Pelosi's top priorities in the next Coronavirus relief package. I urge Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to make it one of his too.

Food banks are overwhelmed and communities nationwide are experiencing unprecedented need. It's critical that programs like SNAP be easily, and abundantly accessible to American families.

We also need to come together in bipartisan support of our nation's small farmers. One way we can do that is by buying local food as much as possible. I also supported bipartisan efforts to ensure that our small farmers can access Small Business Administration relief funds during this economic crisis. It's in all of our best interest to see that they survive and continue to thrive going forward. We depend on them for abundant food and economic success.

We will get through this. Keep the faith.

Jim