Sonny Perdue, USDA Secretary

My name is Qasim Rashid, and I’m running for Congress in Virginia’s 1st District. You can find out more about my campaign at www.rashidforva.com and contribute at secure.actblue.com/...

The US Department of Agriculture wants to punish 700,000 Americans for not working enough hours this month by taking away their food stamps. Current SNAP rules state that adults without dependents must work at least 80 hours per month for more than 3 consecutive months to qualify for food stamps. States have always had the right to waive these requirements though, for reasons such as high unemployment rates—the current Republican administration wants to strip this right from the states. It seems that states’ rights only matter to Republicans when they can use it as a way to justify their own interests. It also seems that the 18% of Americans out of work or with cut hours due the current pandemic, don’t count as high unemployment in the eyes of Trump.

Federal Judge Beryl Howell ruled against these proposed changes, included in what is known as the Farm Bill, saying that it would be “arbitrary and capricious” to limit people’s access to food during a global health crisis. The USDA is appealing this ruling, spearheaded by Sonny Perdue Agriculture Department Secretary. Might I remind you, this is the same Sonny Perdue that in 2007—while serving as governor of Georgia— tried to pray away a drought, with a state-sanctioned prayer vigil. The drought continued for several months longer.

Trump is proposing a lot of measures right now that he says are aimed at helping the economy and everyday Americans. So then why is he fighting to cut food stamps? Withholding food from those who do not work enough hours will result in people working while sick and threatening the safety of others, and contributing to the spread of Coronavirus. Not only will this hurt the individuals directly denied these benefits, but it will also hurt the economy as a whole.

Where does Rob Wittman stand on this issue? In 2013 he bragged about supporting a previous version of the innocently named “Farm Bill ” , which imposed rules that cut food stamp benefits to thousands of people and placed a huge administrative burden on social service agencies . Now, as millions of Americans will be struggling to put food on the table in this midst of this pandemic, he is silent. Me on the other hand? I’m speaking out against these injustices and fighting for everyday Americans .

If you believe in common-sense government that will work for the most vulnerable, not against them, and will fight for food justice, a healthy economy, and compassion, join us at https://rashidforva.com/ and help power our efforts at secure.actblue.com/...

We can’t succeed in this fight without you.