Trump To Sign Farm Bill Giving Subsidies to the Rich While Cutting Food Assistance for Hungry Americans

WASHINGTON – On the same day President Trump will sign legislation allowing the wealthiest farmers, their relatives and millionaire city slickers to receive even more taxpayer-funded subsidies, his administration has announced plans to cut vital federal food assistance to hungry Americans.  

“At the very same time that President Trump is enriching the largest and most successful farmers — and their distant relations — with unlimited farm subsidies, he is also launching a new front in his war on America’s hungry,” said EWG President Ken Cook.

“Most Americans believe we should assist family farmers who are truly in need of it, and help feed our hungry neighbors, not send unlimited taxpayer-funded checks to millionaires and wealthy beach bums,” Cook said. “But Trump is always eager to give his fellow fat cats a hand and doesn’t care about struggling family farmers and those who don’t have enough to eat.”

The Department of Agriculture, led by Trump appointee Sec. Sonny Perdue, is proposing cutting off food assistance through the agency’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program, or SNAP, to some struggling Americans. 

Meanwhile, today the president will also sign the 2018 Farm Bill. For the first time, it will allow nieces, nephews and cousins of current farm subsidy recipients to themselves collect up to $125,000 each year in taxpayer-funded farm subsidies – even if they do not live or work on the farm.

“In many ways, what’s happening today under this administration perfectly encapsulates both President Trump’s personal values and his agenda for the country,” said Cook. “As with most of his decisions, these policies will continue to consolidate wealth among the richest Americans and push policies that batter those who are already hanging on by a thread.”  

According to the nonpartisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, approximately 42 million Americans – 13 percent of the total U.S. population – rely on SNAP to get enough to eat. The average monthly SNAP benefit for each household member is $120, or $1.32 per person per meal.

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The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.

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