Amendment ID: S2686-1-R1

Redraft Amendment 1

Urging the President of the United States and the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation to Sustain the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) During the Federal Government Shutdown

Mr. Tarr, Mrs. Dooner and Mr. Durant move to amend the resolution (ceremonial) move to amend the resolution by striking out the text in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following text:

WHEREAS, THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS 1 OF THE NATION’S MOST EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT FOOD SECURITY PROGRAMS, PROVIDING CRITICAL SUPPORT TO MORE THAN 40 MILLION UNITED STATES RESIDENTS, INCLUDING 1 MILLION RESIDENTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH; AND

WHEREAS, ANY DISRUPTION IN SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BENEFITS, EVEN BRIEF, WOULD THREATEN THE FOOD SECURITY AND WELL-BEING OF RESIDENTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH, DISPROPORTIONATELY BURDENING SENIORS, CHILDREN AND INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES; AND

WHEREAS, MORE THAN 5,500 RETAILERS IN THE COMMONWEALTH PARTICIPATE IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, WITH PURCHASES ACCOUNTING FOR UP TO 20 PER CENT OF ALL GROCERY SPENDING IN SOME STORES, SUCH THAT AN INTERRUPTION IN BENEFITS WOULD DESTABILIZE LOCAL GROCERS, UNDERMINE JOBS AND CAUSE CASCADING HARM TO FARMERS, FISHERS AND FOOD PRODUCERS; AND

WHEREAS, EMERGENCY FOOD PROVIDERS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH HAVE ALREADY REPORTED SHARP INCREASES IN DEMAND AND WHILE THE LEGISLATURE AND ADMINISTRATION HAVE EXPANDED INVESTMENTS IN STATE-BASED ANTI-HUNGER INITIATIVES, INCLUDING THE MASSACHUSETTS EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS AND THE HEALTHY INCENTIVES PROGRAM, THE COMMONWEALTH CANNOT ABSORB THE $210,000,000 PER MONTH IN FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PAYMENTS THAT WOULD BE LOST IF NOT FUNDED DURING THE ONGOING FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN; AND

WHEREAS, FOR EVERY 1 MEAL PROVIDED BY A FOOD BANK, THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM  PROVIDES 9 MEALS, UNDERSCORING THE IRREPLACEABLE ROLE OF FEDERAL SUPPORT IN PREVENTING HUNGER AND HARDSHIP; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, THAT THE MASSACHUSETTS SENATE HEREBY URGES THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO USE ALL EXISTING AUTHORITY TO SUPPLEMENT AND TRANSFER AVAILABLE FUNDS TO SUSTAIN SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BENEFITS THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THE ONGOING FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT THE MASSACHUSETTS SENATE CALLS UPON THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO ADVOCATE FOR AND SUPPORT IMMEDIATE FEDERAL ACTION TO ENSURE THE CONTINUATION OF SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BENEFITS; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT COPIES OF THESE RESOLUTIONS BE TRANSMITTED FORTHWITH BY THE CLERK OF THE SENATE TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND TO EACH MEMBER OF THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.