Murphy, Bonamici Introduce Bicameral Malnutrition Awareness Week Resolution After Republican Budget Bill Ripped Nutrition Benefits Away From Families

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.-1) introduced a resolution designating the week of September 14^th through 18^th as "Malnutrition Awareness Week." Food insecurity and malnutrition affect over 40 million Americans, disproportionately impacting older adults, children, and other vulnerable populations. In 2023, an estimated seven million American children lived in food-insecure households. Meanwhile, disease-associated malnutrition in older adults alone costs the United States more than $51.3 billion each year.

The resolution recognizes the importance of federal nutrition programs and community-based organizations, like those targeted by the Republican budget bill, in preventing malnutrition and its devastating ill-effects on public health, educational achievement, and health care costs. Malnutrition's harms often extend across an individual's lifespan and increases their risk of chronic illness and healthcare complications. By raising awareness and promoting increased funding for food and healthcare programs, the resolution seeks to support nationwide efforts to improve health outcomes.

"There's no excuse for tens of millions of Americans to suffer through malnutrition in the wealthiest country in the world, all so Republican donors can get a giant tax cut," said Murphy. "Malnutrition is a silent killer and that's exactly why we need to raise awareness about this growing crisis after Donald Trump and Republicans' snatched away food support for millions of poor children and seniors," said Senator Murphy.

"In a country as wealthy as the United States, no one should struggle to have enough to eat. Since H.R. 1 passed more than a year ago, too many people are experiencing food insecurity and hunger. Republicans in Congress have forced states to absorb hundreds of millions of dollars - that they do not have - to keep critical nutrition assistance programs funded. The cuts from H.R. 1 will harm working families and seniors who desperately need some extra support. This Malnutrition Awareness Week, I'm urging my colleagues to reverse the cuts and fund the nutrition programs that keep our nation healthy and strong," said Representative Bonamici.

Full text of the resolution can be found HERE.