ACTION: PROTECT FOOD ASSISTANCE FOR THE POOR

From Indivisible Oregon..

**CALL TO ACTION**
Monday, April 16, 2018
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PROTECT FOOD ASSISTANCE FOR THE POOR
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#FoodStamps
#SNAPbenefit

In another attack on the poor, House Republicans last week unveiled their $865 billion Farm Bill. The bill strengthens farm programs, but it snatches food stamps from millions of poor people.

The Bill:
• Increases work requirements for 5 to 7 million people to qualify for nutrition assistance.
• Eliminates SNAP’s “heat and eat” provisions for certain household.
• May take free school meals away from as many as 200,000 children.

The farm bill was released on the same day that Trump signed an executive order directing the entire federal government to tighten poverty programs. Praised by the Heartland Institute, Trump is also considering drug testing for food assistance.

The bill’s critics say poor people are not poor because they aren’t working hard. They are poor because conservatives have blocked living wages and healthcare, and attacked union rights.

Passing the bill is a priority for House Republicans this election year. But it is sure to set off a fight with Democrats, who were locked out of writing the Farm Bill. That fight is expected to break out when debate begins.

Call your representative. Demand compassion. And remember how your Congressperson votes. With that in mind, vote in the midterm election this November.
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**ACTION 1: YOUR REPRESENTATIVE**

SAMPLE SCRIPT – for Reps Blumenauer, Bonamici, DeFazio and Schrader:
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon, [zip code]. I am calling to ask the Representative to fight for people who need government’s help for food, including school children. The Farm Bill will take them away, but people are not poor because they aren’t working hard, they are poor because they don’t have living wages or health care. You can help them. Thank you.”


SAMPLE SCRIPT – for Walden:
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon, [zip code]. I am calling to express my strong disapproval of the Farm Bill. The bill provides safety nets for dairy farmers but takes away food stamps from millions, including thousands in your district. I am asking the Representative to put the needs of his constituents first and protect nutrition assistance. This isn’t an ideological issue; it’s about basic human needs. Thank you.”
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**ACTION 2:  REMEMBER THIS VOTE IN THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS

Make note of how your Member of Congress voted on the Farm Bill and remember that vote when it comes time for you to cast your own vote, in November’s midterm elections. Support those who make protect the most vulnerable.


CONGRESSWOMAN SUZANNE BONAMICI [D1]
DC: (202) 225-0855, OR: (503) 469-6010

CONGRESSMAN GREG WALDEN [D2]
DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646,
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400

CONGRESSMAN EARL BLUMENAUER [D3]
DC: (202) 225-4811, OR: (503) 231-2300

CONGRESSMAN PETER DEFAZIO [D4]
DC 202-225-6416, Eugene: (541) 465-6732,
Roseburg: (541) 440-3523, Coos Bay (541) 269-2609

CONGRESSMAN KURT SCHRADER [D5]
DC: (202) 225-5711, Salem (503) 588-9100,
Oregon City (503) 557-1324


** After you call, please comment below and briefly share your experience!**