HR 1 cuts nutrition assistance for struggling families to finance tax breaks for the country’s wealthiest. It will shift many SNAP costs from the federal government to states, which could jeopardize food assistance for about 650,000 Alabamians. Beginning in 2028, Alabama will be on the hook for nearly $200 million annually to pay for a portion of SNAP benefits, which have been 100% federally funded for decades.

HR 1 gave some states two extra years to prepare for the shift, but Alabama and 34 other states were not among them. It is unfair to treat states so differently and to leave tens of millions of Americans at risk of losing vital food assistance. Congress should give every state an additional two or more years before the cost shift impacts struggling families who need SNAP assistance to help keep food on the table.

Call U.S. Sen. Katie Britt today and tell her to delay this harmful SNAP cut for two years, either in federal budget bills or other legislation considered following the elections.

Congress is expected to come back into session after the midterm elections to wrap up some of its work, including passing funding bills and possibly a Farm Bill. Britt will be key to this process because she is a powerful member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

If Congress doesn’t act or if the state Legislature can’t provide the required funding, Alabama might have to opt out of SNAP entirely. That would send hunger soaring in a state where roughly 1 in 6 people already struggle with food insecurity. And children and older adults would be hit hardest: More than 67% of SNAP participants are in households with children, and 39% of households include an older adult or someone with a disability.

Alabama families should not be forced into impossible choices between food, rent and medicine. Sen. Britt has the power to protect Alabama families. Please call her today.