Congress should be helping farmers stay afloat

The Republicans' new Farm Bill is doing nothing to lower food prices for families, lower costs for farmers or lower tariffs for small businesses. This bill also does nothing to address the sky-high fertilizer and fuel costs caused by Trump's illegal war in Iran. Congress should be helping farmers stay afloat, not hanging them out to dry.

Republicans also blocked an amendment I supported to repeal the Big Ugly Law's cuts to food assistance. Just in Washington, the Big Ugly Law will take away 129,000 people's SNAP benefits. I cannot support legislation that abandons hungry children and families.

Nearly one million Washingtonians rely on SNAP benefits every month to purchase food. As a result of the Republicans' Big Ugly Law, 129,000 Washingtonians will lose their SNAP benefits if they fail to meet new work requirements, and 75,000 households will see a reduction in their monthly benefits. In Washington state, 25,801 people have already lost SNAP benefits because of the Republicans' Big Ugly Law.

Across Northwest Washington, families are feeling the strain of rising costs. Groceries are more expensive. Energy bills are harder to manage. Housing remains out of reach for too many people. For workers, seniors, and small business owners alike, the cost of living is more than just a headline, but a daily struggle.

I will keep fighting to support Northwest Washington farmers and lower costs for all Americans.

More soon,
Rick