California Senate urges Congress to protect SNAP funding from budget cuts

The Assembly Human Services Committee in California convened on June 17, 2025, to discuss critical issues surrounding food security and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). A key focus of the meeting was Senate Joint Resolution 3 (SJR 3), which urges Congress to maintain funding for SNAP, a vital program that supports millions of Californians facing food insecurity.

Senator Arguin presented the resolution, highlighting that approximately 5.4 million Californians, or one in seven residents, rely on the CalFresh program, California's version of SNAP. The senator emphasized the program's importance, particularly for vulnerable populations such as rural communities, single-parent households, seniors, and students. The ongoing food insecurity crisis, exacerbated by the pandemic, has led to increased demand at food banks, which currently serve around six million people monthly in California.

The resolution received unanimous bipartisan support in the Senate, reflecting a shared understanding of the program's significance. Senator Arguin noted that proposed federal cuts to SNAP could have devastating effects, particularly for low-income families and the agricultural economy. The senator pointed out that food banks can only provide a fraction of the meals that SNAP does, underscoring the necessity of maintaining robust funding for the program.

Kelly Longo Flores from the California Association of Food Banks and Yesenia Jimenez from End Child Poverty California also testified in support of SJR 3. They echoed the senator's concerns, stating that cuts to SNAP would not only increase hunger but also negatively impact local economies, as families would have less purchasing power for groceries.

The committee members expressed their commitment to protecting SNAP, recognizing its role in alleviating food insecurity and supporting community health. The discussion concluded with a call for an "aye" vote on the resolution, reinforcing the collective effort to safeguard essential food assistance programs for Californians in need.

As the debate on federal funding continues, the resolution stands as a crucial reminder of the importance of food security in fostering healthy and vibrant communities across California.