JCPA urges backing for anti-poverty bills

The umbrella body for U.S. Jewish outreach groups urged constituents to lobby for two anti-poverty bills ahead of important congressional committee votes. The Jewish Council for Public Affairs sent an action alert Thursday to constituent bodies urging support for the Feeding America’s Families Act, which will be considered by the U.S. House of Representatives Agriculture Committee on July 17 as part of the Farm Bill reauthorization. The act would raise the minimum food stamp benefit from $10 a month, expand legal immigrant access to food stamps and raise eligibility limits, currently at $2,000 in assets. On the same day, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee will consider reauthorizing the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, which provides insurance for children not covered by Medicaid. JCPA urged constituents to press senators to reauthorize the act and to bolster the program by $50 billion to reach between three and four million children who are currently uncovered. The committees in question must approve each bill before its consideration by the full house.