Portland Maine News

Leader Jeffries says the task force will help push back aggressively on GOP threats to nation’s critical food security programs

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has appointed Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) to the newly established Task Force on Agriculture and Nutrition, formed to combat House Republican attacks on essential programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and Meals on Wheels. 

“It’s unthinkable that as millions of Americans—many of whom are children—go hungry, Republicans are threatening to strip away essential programs that help put food on the table. The Task Force on Agriculture and Nutrition is an important new line of defense to protect these programs against heartless and dangerous GOP attacks,” said Pingree. “I’m deeply honored to be chosen to serve alongside my Democratic colleagues from every corner of the country to support farmers and fight hunger.” 

"In the wealthiest country in the history of the world, no one in America should go hungry," said Leader Jeffries. "Unfortunately, extreme MAGA Republicans in the House continue to relentlessly attack essential programs that address food insecurity among children and older Americans like SNAP, WIC and Meals on Wheels. This task force will help lead the way to push back aggressively. Equally significant, the task force will continue to honor our commitment to the farmers that feed our nation. From crop insurance to commodities and trade, agriculture policy forms an important pillar of our economy. We must ensure that our farmers have the resources needed to thrive in the 21st century. The Members appointed come from nearly every corner of our nation and bring a wide range of experience on both agriculture and nutrition issues. I am appreciative that Rep. Bennie Thompson has agreed to Chair the task force and will bring his leadership experience and policy expertise to this important work."

Pingree will serve on the task force alongside Chair Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.), Lou Correa (D-Calif.), Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), Josh Harder (D-Calif.), Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.), and Kim Schrier (D-Wash.). 

Pingree, a longtime farmer, is a member of both the House Agriculture Committee and the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture. Throughout her tenure in Congress, Pingree has strengthened local and regional food systems, supporting farmers and helping more people access locally grown food. She has worked to help give farmers the tools needed to respond to climate change, and reduce food waste in the U.S, co-chairing the bipartisan House Congressional Food Recovery Caucus. She has made fighting to protect food programs like SNAP a priority in the upcoming Farm Bill.

Original source can be found here