House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (R-Texas) hit back on criticism from the conservative group Heritage Action, which released a scathing release on his reticence to cut the SNAP program, formerly known as food stamps.
“They’ve been advocates for raising the cost of food for the most vulnerable in our society for years, and they’re sticking with that treatment,” Conaway told reporters, adding that Heritage “didn’t have the courtesy to call me and ask” where he stood.
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Conaway is in ongoing discussions with Budget Committee Chairman Diane Black (R-Tenn.) over potential cuts to the SNAP program. Black has twice postponed the release of the budget proposal over conservative demands that further cuts be made to entitlement and welfare programs, such as SNAP.
While the budget committee can mandate the level of cuts, it is up to the specific committee chairs to fill in the details.
On Wednesday, Heritage put out a statement specifically targeting Conaway.
“Chairman Conaway’s apparent unwillingness to cut a paltry amount of federal spending from his committee is a slap in the face to American taxpayers and jeopardizes historic tax reform,” Heritage Vice President Dan Holler said in the statement.