New York (January 17, 2020) – Alison Cohen, Senior Director of Programs at WhyHunger, issued the following statement regarding the lawsuit filed by 14 states, Washington, D.C. and New York City to block the Trump Administration’s new food stamp rule:
“This crucial lawsuit to stop the Trump Administration rule to cut food stamp benefits for nearly 700,000 people is a powerful example of local governments calling out a clear violation of the right to food.
This cruel rule, which was passed by circumventing Congress and ignores strong public opposition, strips access to essential nutrition from individuals across the country, denying what WhyHunger believes should be the universal human right to nutritious food for everyone.
Our federal government needs to follow suit and take responsibility for supporting its most vulnerable citizens. The false assertion of this rule that pulling food off the tables of struggling individuals will create employment, is proving false in emerging data from states such as West Virginia, which enacted a similar rule four years ago. Instead, this rule puts the responsibility, burden and cost of nourishing America on the back of private charities and citizens.”
Learn more about the lawsuit in this article.
About WhyHunger
Founded in 1975 by the late Harry Chapin and radio DJ Bill Ayres, WhyHunger believes a world without hunger is possible. We provide critical resources to support grassroots movements and fuel community solutions rooted in social, environmental, racial and economic justice. A four-star rated charity by Charity Navigator, WhyHunger is working to end hunger and advance the human right to nutritious food in the U.S. and around the world. Learn more at whyhunger.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
###
Media Contact:
Alex Kofsky
212..255.7541
