(OMAHA, NE) -- Eighteen Nebraska state senators, including several Republicans, have signed a letter to U.S. Sens. Pete Ricketts and Deb Fischer, asking them to protect the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
The letter comes as Congress approaches a deadline to pass the "Big, Beautiful Bill," which could include cuts to SNAP to help fund an extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts. The letter calls SNAP an "essential resource" and notes that it has historically enjoyed broad bipartisan support.
According to the most recent state data, 153,457 individuals in Nebraska receive SNAP benefits, including 64,000 children and 5,000 veterans.
When asked about the letter, Sen. Ricketts told KETV that the bill is still being negotiated and he could not comment on specific provisions. Sen. Fischer stated that Congress is working to strengthen the SNAP program and she is confident in the state's ability to administer it with integrity.
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