Senate adopts resolution urging Congress not to cut SNAP funding

The California State Senate on Monday adopted Senate Joint Resolution 3, urging Congress not to approve proposed cuts to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The resolution passed by unanimous voice vote—"Ayes, 38; Noes, 0"—after senators described rising food insecurity across the state and framed CalFresh as both an anti‑hunger program and an economic stimulus.

Senator Adeghin, chair of the Senate Committee on Human Services and the author of SJR 3, said California faces growing demand for food assistance and that deep federal cuts would “hurt families in devastating ways.” She told colleagues that CalFresh reaches millions of Californians and that food banks alone cannot fill any gap created by cuts.

The resolution comes after an informational hearing hosted by the committee on the state of hunger in California. Senator Adeghin said, “Around 5,500,000 Californians use CalFresh,” and she emphasized that seniors, children and rural households are among those most affected.

Senator Dr. Weber Pearson, co‑author and a member of the budget subcommittee on health and human services, said, “Hunger is an issue everywhere.” She summarized program eligibility and impacts: “The households that qualify must earn less than 200% of the federal poverty level and receive an average monthly benefit of a hundred and $89 per month to purchase food.” Weber Pearson also cited research showing that every $1 in SNAP funding generates roughly $1.50 to $1.80 in local economic activity.

Senator McNerney and others described local food‑bank demand as evidence that cuts would be harmful. Senator Becker noted progress in outreach to eligible Californians, saying the state has raised enrollment among eligible residents from roughly 60% to about 80%.

Senator Ashby offered a personal recollection to underscore the program’s human impact. She recalled first using food assistance as a young parent and said a grocery store employee reassured her: “Those are just like dollars, and you are welcome here and you can use them for any food item in the store.”

SJR 3 calls on Congress not to reduce SNAP funding, arguing that cuts would increase food insecurity for vulnerable groups and harm California farmers and local economies. The authors and supporting senators repeatedly described the resolution as a nonbinding, formal statement urging federal lawmakers to preserve benefits.

The resolution was adopted without objection. Members said the measure was intended to send a clear message to Congress and to Californians about the state legislature’s position on proposed federal cuts.

Looking ahead, senators urged continued outreach to eligible households and emphasized the role of state and local partners in enrolling residents in CalFresh and related nutrition programs.