KMS has continued to speak out about the Farm Bill throughout its journey in Congress. On June 21 the House narrowly passed a version of the bill that proposed unprecedented, harmful cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that would put many working families, caregivers, children, and people with disabilities at risk of losing needed food assistance. One week later, the Senate voted 86-11 to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill which maintained the integrity of SNAP.

Now that the bill is going to conference, we urge the negotiators to follow the path charted in the Senate and protect the integrity of SNAP in the final Farm Bill. Here are several statements from Christian faith leaders across the country:

Many offices in the House already have said No to drastic cuts in SNAP. These members should weigh in today and let negotiators know that they would prefer a final bill that follows the consensus that came out of the Senate. The leadership of these offices is critical in a moment like this.

– Alexei Laushkin
Executive Director, Kingdom Mission Society

The Farm Bill is traditionally one of the most bi-partisan bills in Congress, which only makes sense as we can easily agree on the importance of fighting against the hunger of fellow human beings in the spirit of Jesus’s exhortation, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40, NRSV).

We have many neighbors who are at risk of losing access to their daily bread if cuts are made to SNAP. I continue to pray that negotiators will find a way toward a final Farm Bill that protects funding for SNAP and rejects additional unworkable and untested work requirements for those struggling to make ends meet.

– Rev. Chris Olkiewicz

Windsor Heights Lutheran Church (Windsor Heights, IA)

I am grateful to those who said no to cuts in SNAP. It is urgent that those who did so provide leadership and insist that the final bill reflect the consensus of the Senate.

– Jim Henderson D.Min

Executive Producer, Jim Henderson Presents