Ciscomani and Congressional Republicans Cut SNAP and Forced Longest-Ever Shutdown Instead of Lowering Health Care Costs

TUCSON — The Trump administration's threats to withhold food assistance from Arizonans during the shutdown is forcing those most in need to get by with even less, yet Congressman Ciscomani has yet to come to the negotiating table to reopen the government, get SNAP benefits to Arizonans, and permanently extend the health care tax credits.

The Republicans' decision to shut down the government and disrupt SNAP benefits instead of lowering health care costs threatens the health and safety of Arizonans as Republicans continue the longest-ever government shutdown over their refusal to provide cost-saving health care tax credits.

According to Cronkite News:

“One in eight Americans relies on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Arizona roughly tracks the national average, with 855,000 recipients in September, according to the Arizona Department of Economic Security.

But there are parts of the state that rely far more heavily on the federal food aid.

In Apache County – where Rajca has lived and worked for decades – nearly a third of individuals and 44% of households rely on SNAP, according to state data and census counts.

In Navajo and Yuma counties, a quarter of residents receive SNAP benefits.

In Santa Cruz and Gila, it’s more than one in five.

By comparison, 10% of Maricopa County residents receive SNAP.

In counties with especially high food insecurity, the potential loss of food aid this month – or even the loss of half the usual benefit – has struck fear.”

"Congressman Ciscomani and President Trump are using Arizona's needs as political pawns in their shutdown fight," said Andrea Moreno, Executive Director of Honest Arizona. "Ciscomani is refusing to do what Arizonans demand: provide food assistance to the Arizonans who need it, make health care tax credits permanent, and reopen the government."

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