Washington, DC – Today, the United States Senate passed its version of the “Farm Bill” (Manager’s Amendment to the House version of the 2018 Agriculture and Nutrition Act), a bill to reauthorize farm programs and policy as well as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

“We applaud the United States Senate for its bipartisan work on a new version of the Farm Bill, rejecting the cruel cuts to SNAP proposed in the House of Representatives. As both Chambers of Congress negotiate a final version of this bill, we hope they keep in mind the more than 11 million people with disabilities across the United States who rely on SNAP to help them eat. This is an opportunity for Members of Congress to preserve access to basic food assistance for their constituents with disabilities who are struggling to put food on the table.

“Our hope is an end result that protects and preserves SNAP, rejecting cuts to this invaluable program,” said Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc.

The Arc advocates for and serves people wit­­h intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including Down syndrome, autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy and other diagnoses. The Arc has a network of nearly 650 chapters across the country promoting and protecting the human rights of people with IDD and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes and without regard to diagnosis.