DeLauro Statement on Trump’s Executive Order Attacking the Social Safety Net

WASHINGTON, DC — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement regarding President Trump's latest Executive Order, which makes it more difficult for people to access services such as healthcare, nutrition, and housing.

"Under the guise of ‘reviewing welfare programs,' the Trump Administration is once again targeting America's most vulnerable people. Despite the rhetoric from President Trump and Congressional Republicans saying that they want to tackle poverty, the truth is that imposing additional requirements on our social safety net programs only serves to cut off lifelines that help millions of people from going hungry, get access to affordable housing, and receive medical care."

"President Trump and Congressional Republicans are searching for a solution to a problem that does not exist—going out of their way to humiliate and stigmatize recipients of federal programs. For instance, despite their broad reach, it is widely recognized that federal nutrition programs, like the food stamp program, have the lowest instances of fraud compared to all government programs. On top of that, USDA's most recent data shows that work rates for SNAP recipients have been increasing year after year."

"The American people would be far better served if the President and Congressional Republicans joined Democrats, who are focused on economic policies that create jobs and raise wages, instead of blaming people for needing a helping hand."