Dear Friend,

As a mom, I know that costs can add up when our children go back to school. That’s especially the case this year. From school supplies to groceries, the things our children need to thrive at school are more expensive than ever. Hardworking families will have to pay an average of 7.3% more on back-to-school supplies than they did last year, and prices for vegetables increased by nearly 40% from June to July — the largest monthly increase ever recorded in summer.

And while so many Americans are already struggling to making ends meet, President Trump and Congressional Republicans recently passed their Big, Ugly Bill, which slashes almost $200 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — making it even harder for families to put food on the table. Over 42 million Americans rely on SNAP, including more than 100,000 right here in our district alone.

Cuts to food assistance hurt everyone, including families and children. Without the extra help to put food on the table, parents could be forced to choose between school supplies and breakfast. Our students should not be going to class hungry, and parents should not have to wonder if they will need to skip a meal to pay for their children’s school books. This is not the Oregon way. We can and must do better.

I support legislation that will lower costs and make it easier to put food on the table. That includes the Farmers Feeding America Act, a bill that would help food banks distribute fresh food from local Oregon farmers. I also support legislation that improves workforce training programs for SNAP beneficiaries, and I’ve introduced legislation that would establish a summer meal delivery program, ensuring children in rural communities still receive nutritious meals when school is out.

Strengthening food assistance means supporting kids in the classroom, families at the checkout line, and farmers in the field. Together, we can build a healthier, more affordable future.

Be well,




Andrea Salinas
Member of Congress