Democrats urge US House Republicans not to cut food aid to the poor

FILE PHOTO: The U.S. Capitol dome is seen in the morning sun in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 9, 2023. REUTERS/Mary F. Calvert/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Twenty-five Democratic lawmakers on Monday urged Republican leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives to stop calling for further cuts to the largest U.S. food aid program for low-income Americans as a key committee considers a $728 billion farm and nutrition spending bill.

The letter written to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reflects rising partisan tensions in Congress over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Democrats, all members of the House Agriculture Committee, told McCarthy that continuing Republican talk of SNAP cuts could jeopardize progress on this year's farm bill.