Connecticut faces over $10 million in food aid cuts

Two U.S. senators are working to prevent over $10 million in federal cuts to food aid programs in Connecticut. The cuts, announced by the Trump administration, will affect farmers and families struggling to afford food. Families are facing rising food prices, making it hard to buy basic items. For example, a dozen eggs can cost around $9. In Connecticut, about 470,000 residents lack reliable access to enough food, which is a significant increase from last year. Jason Jakubowski, the president of FoodShare, a nonprofit that provides food assistance, spoke alongside Senators Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal at a press event. They highlighted how the cuts to the Local Food for Schools and Local Food Purchase Assistance programs will harm small farms and food distribution sites in the state. Senator Murphy emphasized that many people seeking food assistance have jobs. He pointed out that even with full-time work, it is difficult for families to make ends meet. The senators criticized the cuts as unnecessary and harmful, arguing they do not significantly save money for the federal budget. Similar cuts are happening in other states, like Massachusetts, where the governor called attention to the negative impact of these decisions on families and farmers. The senators intend to challenge the cuts in federal courts, arguing that they are cruel and unjustified. In a related political discussion, both senators expressed their support for Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer despite recent internal disagreements about government funding strategies. They called for a stronger, more proactive approach from their party in the face of challenges from the Trump administration.