| Congressman Gabe Vasquez is sounding the alarm against the devastating impact of Republicans’ Big, Ugly Law on New Mexico’s rural communities.
New Mexico is home to the highest rate of SNAP recipients in the country – Republicans’ bill puts 450,000 at risk of SNAP benefit reductions, and 40,000 at risk of losing access to food assistance entirely. It also threatens $1.3 billion in SNAP revenue for gas stations, grocery, convenience stores and farmers’ markets across the state.
Vasquez met with local farmers, ranchers, and grocers bearing the brunt of Republicans’ disastrous bill, reaffirming his commitment to fight for cut reductions at the federal level and protect the businesses and working families Republicans in Washington left behind.
“Not only are we taking food away from rural communities that produce our food, but we’re also potentially putting their grocery stores out of business… that’s just not a solution that works for rural New Mexico.” – Rep. Vasquez
Read more:
Source NM: Vasquez warns Republican SNAP cuts will hit rural areas hardest
- U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez on Wednesday predicted that small-time farmers and ranchers, as well as small grocery stores, in rural areas of his congressional district will be devastated by Republican food assistance cuts.
- “Our farmers and ranchers and rural food producers are the ones who stand to lose the most from these Republican cuts to food assistance,” said Vasquez.
- The report cited the ways in which SNAP cuts will hit hardest in non-urban areas, which have higher poverty rates, fewer food retailers and less employment opportunities… Nineteen of New Mexico’s 33 counties — most of them rural — appear on [the] list.
- New Mexico also has the highest rate of SNAP recipients in the country, which Vasquez said puts a “huge bull’s eye on the state of New Mexico” when it comes to these cuts.
- Vasquez said the reductions in SNAP benefits to families and individuals will mean the closure of rural grocery stores. He listed grocery stores in Lordsburg and Sunland Park that he said receive three-quarters or more of their revenue from SNAP.
- Recent estimates…predict about 1,700 gas stations, groceries, convenience stores and farmers’ markets statewide stand to lose about $1.3 billion in SNAP revenue.
- New Mexico’s 450,000 SNAP recipients will experience benefit reductions, and 40,000 will lose their SNAP entirely due to work requirements or their immigration status.
- Vasquez said he continues to push for changes in the Farm Bill that would reduce some of the cuts, and he said he’s working with state lawmakers to find ways to mitigate the cuts on residents or the state budget.
- “I wish it wasn’t this way, but it is the reality that New Mexico faces, thanks to the action of Republicans and this administration who chose to cut food assistance.” – Vasquez
|
