Statement Defending SNAP by Supporters of Universal Basic Income:

As supporters of universal basic income, we oppose the harmful and demeaning changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) proposed by the Trump administration.1

We believe in the enactment of universal basic income as part of a new social contract in the United States that recognizes basic human dignity, advances equity, and guarantees financial stability for all Americans. But we recognize that the path to establishing universal basic income is a long one, and that as we move along that path, we must support and defend current social programs that provide vital support to those in poverty.

The Trump proposal to cut SNAP and replace benefits with a pre-set food box would leave more people hungry and rob struggling Americans of their ability to make the right choices on what their families most need. As individuals and organizations who recognize the importance of providing for basic needs and granting individual agency to all people, we strongly oppose these and any changes to the SNAP program which increase hunger and reduce choice.

Signed by the Following Individuals

Chris Hughes Co-founder of Facebook

Sam Altman President of Y Combinator

Robin Chase Co-founder of Zipcar & Veniam

Michael Tubbs Mayor of Stockton

Peter Barnes Co-founder of CREDO Mobile and Author of "With Liberty and Dividends for All"

Natalie Foster Co-chair of the Economic Security Project

Juliana Bidadanure Director of the Stanford Basic Income Lab

Dorian Warren President of Center for Community Change Action

Andy Stern President Emeritus of SEIU

Scott Santens Writer and Basic Income Advocate

Gerald Huff Software Engineer

Sandhya Anantharaman Co-director of the Universal Income Project

Jim Pugh Co-director of the Universal Income Project

Misha Chellam Steering Committee Member of the Economic Security Project

Sean Kline Director of the San Francisco Office of Financial Empowerment

Anne E. Price President of the Insight Center for Community Economic Development

Daniela Perdomo Founder & CEO of goTenna

Rose Broome Founder of HandUp.org

Owen Poindexter Candidate for California Assembly, District 15

Karl Widerquist Associate Professor at Georgetown University-Qatar

Miranda Fleischer Professor of Law at University of San Diego

Are you a basic income supporter that wants to defend SNAP? Complete this form to add your name to the statement.

For any questions or media requests about this campaign, please email snap@universalincome.org.