Scott, Bonamici Demand USDA Restore Hunger Study, Following Historic SNAP Cuts

Scott, Bonamici Demand USDA Restore Hunger Study, Following Historic SNAP Cuts

"[T]he Department has decided to terminate the dissemination of household food security data just as congressional Republicans have enacted sweeping and historic cuts to proven public health interventions that can keep families from going hungry."

WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, and Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee Ranking Member Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), House Committee on Education and Workforce, condemned the Department of Agriculture's (USDA) decision under Secretary Brooke Rollins to terminate the agency's Economic Research Service (ERS) Household Food Security Reports. The reports provide insights into the severity of food insecurity among vulnerable communities. Moreover, the USDA recently and abruptly forced a dozen hunger researchers to administrative leave without cause.

"It has not gone unnoticed that the Department has decided to terminate the dissemination of household food security data just as congressional Republicans have enacted sweeping and historic cuts to proven public health interventions that can keep families from going hungry," wrote the Members. "The decision to limit the availability of annual food security data while households across the country face rising food prices is unwise and shortsighted."

"Without this data, it is unclear how the Department plans to assess the effectiveness of federal nutrition programs and best allocate federal resources to the most vulnerable," continued the Members. "We simply cannot address problems that we cannot measure."

The lawmakers demand the immediate restoration of the Household Food Security reports and reinstatement of all ERS staff. In August, the Members scrutinized the agency's proposal to reorganize the USDA amid reports of food program delays for families and farmers due to failed Trump Administration policies.

To read the full letter, click here.

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