Bresnahan’s Cuts to Federal Food Assistance & Support of Cost-Raising Tariffs Harm PA’s SNAP Recipients, Farmers, and Economy

March 9, 2026

Scranton, PENNSYLVANIA - Last week, the House Agriculture Committee began its markup of the Farm Bill. This legislation is of dire consequence for Pennsylvania’s farmers, rural communities, and over 2 million residents who rely on SNAP.

“I first applied to SNAP in 2015 after I was diagnosed with a genetic metabolic disease. My life changed overnight - I suddenly required expensive medical care and home health services. I was struggling to get by,” said Grace of Cresco. “SNAP is the reason I am where I am today. It’s allowed me to put food on the table, take care of my health, and pursue a college degree. Congressman Bresnahan had the opportunity to reverse his SNAP cuts with this Farm Bill. He needs to restore funding to this critical lifeline, not only for constituents like me, but also for our farmers and our rural communities.”

Last year, Congressman Rob Breshanan, along with his Republican colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee, voted to advance legislation that would slash federal food assistance by as much as $300 billion. He then voted for the Republican Tax Law, which ultimately cut the program by $186.5 billion to pay for bigger tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations.

Congressman Bresnahan has also voted multiple times over the last year to continue Trump’s illegal tariffs that have brought hardship and instability to Pennsylvania’s farmers and skyrocketed food prices. Grocery inflation is at its highest since 2022, with Pennsylvania groceries up 8.2% over the last year, and reports estimate tariffs could cost families nearly $5,000 more in annual grocery costs.

Not only did Congressman Bresnahan vote against reversing his SNAP cuts during the markup - he also voted against exempting veterans from SNAP work requirements, providing support to Pennsylvania families and farmers who are suffering under illegal tariffs, and restoring a school meal program that would benefit schools, child care facilities, and local small farmers. On the health care front, he voted against providing funding to rural hospitals facing revenue losses, due in part to the health care cuts he voted for in the Republican Tax Law. Affordable Pennsylvania calls on Rep. Bresnahan to reverse his SNAP cuts for his more than 145,000 constituents that rely on the program.

###