Reps. Cleaver and Clay Urge USDA To Protect SNAP, WIC beneficiaries During COVID-19 Pandemic

(Kansas City, MO) – Today, United States Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Wm. Lacy Clay (D-MO) delivered a letter to Secretary Sonny Perdue of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), calling on Secretary Perdue to protect Missourians by supporting the Missouri Department of Social Services' request for a waiver that would allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Special Supplement Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) beneficiaries to receive groceries by delivery.

"Low-income Americans who rely on SNAP and WIC benefits are being disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and more must be done to protect them during this crisis," said Congressman Cleaver. "As many of these individuals are cashiers, janitors, and other essential workers who cannot remain at home, we must find other ways to limit their exposure to this deadly virus. Allowing SNAP and WIC beneficiaries to have their groceries delivered is a common sense way to protect critical workers who are on the frontlines of this public health emergency. I look forward to the Secretary's swift approval."

You can find Congressman Cleaver's official letter here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Security, International Development, and Monetary Policy; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Matt Helfant at 202-590-0175 or Matthew.Helfant@mail.house.gov A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.