On the Hill
Last Friday President Trump signed the
Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) into law. The Act was congress's third economic stimulus bill. It included many key investments that will help Californians weather this crisis including stimulus payments, unemployment insurance, and funding for states and localities, but the act falls short of meeting the needs of struggling Californians, particularly the most under resourced. It also fails to ensure that all families, regardless of their immigration status, can access these necessary supports.
The act includes $15.5 billion for SNAP, but this funding will only cover the projected increase in applications and the costs of relief authorized in H.R. 6201, the second stimulus bill passed by congress. We were disappointed to see additional investments in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, known as CalFresh in California) not included within the funding package agreed upon by congress. During the last recession, experts said increasing SNAP benefits boosted consumer spending, which the economy and local businesses desperately need. Congress still needs to address the areas where this COVID-19 economic response bill falls short.
Congress is already working working on another plan to address urgent needs in areas like food assistance and other help for people who are struggling to make ends meet. CFPA will keep advocating for additional supports to help ALL Californians put food on the table.
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