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As Mike Lawler prepares to vote AGAIN for Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill, local food pantry leaders in Rockland County are desperately pleading with Lawler to vote no on his party’s extreme plan to slash funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and threaten the 66,000 people in NY-17 that rely on SNAP to put food on the table each day — all to shovel more tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations.
Lawler has already voted for extreme cuts that would devastate local food programs and threaten school meals, and despite his lies that he continues “to stand up for our most vulnerable and protect these critical programs,” Lawler is doubling down on his support for the tax scam that hurts New Yorkers, proving once again that his loyalty lies with Donald Trump, not the Hudson Valley.
DCCC Spokesperson Riya Vashi:
“New Yorkers don’t need Mike Lawler’s meaningless letters and empty promises. Let’s not forget, Lawler already cast the deciding vote for legislation that takes food out of hungry kids’ mouths to fund tax breaks for billionaires. That’s not leadership—it’s a betrayal of Rockland families, and voters will hold him accountable next November.”
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LoHud: Food pantry leaders plead with Lawler to save SNAP, other programs to fight hunger
- Rockland leaders on the frontlines of tackling food insecurity said their already-strapped feeding programs face even greater threats from the One Big Beautiful Bill now wending its way through Congress.
- Several leaders raised the alarm during a press conference at the offices of the nonprofit TOUCH, a member of the Rockland Community Against Hunger coalition, on Tuesday, July 1, calling on their congressional representative, Rep. Mike Lawler, to protect the programs.
- Anita Dreichler, coordinator of Rockland Community Against Hunger, warned that the impact of current and future cuts “is going to be immense.”
- Current versions of the bill now in congressional negotiations embed years-long changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP.
- The Regional Food Bank supplies 23 New York counties from Rockland to the Canadian border. Those costs hit local feeding programs in the amount provided and in quality too.
- Julian Palmer, who leads TOUCH, noted that the spending bill passed the House by 215-214, with Lawler voting yes; he could be among those who could flip the script by changing his vote or demanding a better bill.
- Revised rules for SNAP eligibility could throw 300,000 New York households off monthly food payments, groups warn. About 53,000 Rockland residents currently rely on SNAP.
- Mungin said the MLK Center’s food distributions are slated for the early evening because many of the 300 families who turn out are working during the day. “It’s notable people aren’t looking for a handout,” he said. “They’re looking for a way to make their budgets.”
- For People to People, the loss of TEFAP means the loss of 250 tons of USDA goods that get to the Nanuet-based feeding program via the Regional Food Bank, board chairman emeritus Joe Allen said. The cost to replace that fresh food: around $1 million.
- Pucci asked Lawler to put his family in her shoes. “I’d like to ask Mr. Lawler, what is my family to do?” she asked. “I’m begging you go vote no.”
News 12: Rockland organizations that feed those in need speak out about federal budget bill
- A small army of organizations and food pantries spoke out about the federal budget bill Tuesday morning at “Together Our Unity Can Heal” or ” TOUCH” located on 9W in Congers.
- They specifically voiced concerns about cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) because it could impact the people they serve if it’s passed in its current language.
- “The math on this bill does not add up and the pain it will cause is undeniable,” said Julian Palmer, with TOUCH.
- “This is a basic human right to be able to eat,” said Anita Dreichler, with Rockland Community Against Hunger.
- Those groups also sent a letter to Rep. Mike Lawler urging him to vote “no.”
- News 12 also heard from Traci Pucci. The woman from Haverstraw is a domestic violence survivor and says it’s an experience that left her disabled.
- She has turned to People to People for help many times, “and all the programs you are cutting, especially SNAP, is going to put my family possibly on the street. To have no health care. I cannot make ends meet now.”
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