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AR 193

Affirms support for SNAP and program's progress in reducing hunger among vulnerable populations in New Jersey.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Craig Coughlin and 2 co-sponsors

NJ General Assembly affirms SNAP support and urges Senate to reject federal cuts, protecting benefits for about 850,000 NJ residents and vulnerable groups.

Filed with Secretary of State
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Bill Summary · AR 193

Summary of Assembly Resolution AR 193

Overview

AR 193 is an Assembly Resolution of the New Jersey General Assembly affirming support for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and recognizing the program’s progress in reducing hunger among vulnerable populations in New Jersey. The resolution condemns federal budget actions that would reduce SNAP funding and urges the U.S. Senate to reject such cuts or any similar proposals.

  • Bill Number: AR 193
  • Title: Affirms support for SNAP and program's progress in reducing hunger among vulnerable populations in New Jersey
  • Status: Filed with Secretary of State
  • Introduced: May 22, 2025
  • Classification: Resolution (PUB ASSIST)
  • Companion: SR 135

Purpose and Intent

  • Declares strong support for SNAP as a critical safety-net program in New Jersey.
  • Highlights concerns about proposed federal reductions to SNAP funding as part of a broader federal budget process.
  • Urges federal lawmakers to reject cuts that would adversely affect food-insecure individuals, including children, seniors, disabled, veterans, and families.
  • Emphasizes collaboration at state and federal levels to identify efficiencies within SNAP while opposing reductions that undermine access to nutrition assistance.

Key Provisions

  1. The General Assembly affirms support for SNAP and notes the program’s progress in reducing hunger among vulnerable populations in New Jersey.
  2. The Assembly condemns the U.S. House of Representatives for approving federal budget cuts to SNAP within the budget bill, and urges the U.S. Senate to reject these or any subsequent proposals that would reduce SNAP funding.
  3. The Clerk of the General Assembly is directed to transmit copies of the resolution to the President, Senate Majority and Minority Leaders, House Speaker and Minority Leader, and every New Jersey member of Congress.

Background and Context

  • Federal Action Context:
    • February 25, 2025: U.S. House passes a budget resolution aiming to cut at least $1.5 trillion over ten years.
    • May 14, 2025: House Agriculture Committee votes to cut up to $300 billion in food aid over the same period.
    • May 22, 2025: House passes a budget bill that includes the Agriculture Committee’s funding reductions, largely impacting SNAP.
  • New Jersey Impact:
    • Feeding America estimates about 1.1 million people in New Jersey are food insecure (a ~65% rise since 2020).
    • Approximately 850,000 New Jersey residents rely on SNAP benefits (about 9% of the population).
    • SNAP serves many vulnerable groups, including the elderly, disabled, veterans, and children.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduced and read on May 22, 2025.
  • Passed the Assembly on May 22, 2025 with a vote of 57-7-13.
  • Filed with the Secretary of State on May 22, 2025.
  • Related legislation: Companion SR 135.

Who/What Is Affected

  • Directly affects SNAP participants in New Jersey (approximately 850,000 individuals, many in vulnerable groups).
  • Indirectly signals state-level commitment to opposing federal funding cuts to nutrition assistance that would reduce food access for families and children.
  • No new state funding mandate is created; the measure is a statement of policy and a call to action toward federal lawmakers.

Impact and Implications

  • The resolution reaffirms NJ’s stance against federal SNAP reductions and reinforces advocacy for maintaining or expanding SNAP access.
  • As a non-binding resolution, it does not change state law or funding but may influence public messaging, advocacy, and federal legislative considerations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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