U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Ore., voted against the Fiscal Year 2027 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration funding bill, arguing that the measure would reduce support for food assistance programs and rural communities while increasing challenges for working families.
Bynum, who represents Oregon’s 5th Congressional District, said she opposed the legislation because of its impact on programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC, the Rural Energy for America Program and Rural Business Development Grants.
Before the bill reached the House floor, Bynum introduced five amendments in the House Rules Committee that she said were intended to protect food assistance programs, reduce wildfire risks and address health care costs. All five amendments were rejected.
“Americans should not go hungry because of some out-of-touch DC politician’s policy choices,” Bynum said. “This bill cuts critical funding that helps put food on the table for millions of Americans and invests in rural communities. I tried to fix some of the issues with my amendments, but Republicans rejected them. I refuse to vote for a trash bill like this that leaves children hungry and rural Oregonians behind.”
Among the amendments Bynum proposed was a measure that would have prohibited the use of funds to implement SNAP restrictions included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Another sought to prevent funding from being used for a U.S. Forest Service reorganization if it increased wildfire risk.
She also proposed an amendment providing $1 million for the Food and Drug Administration to study the human health impacts of microplastics exposure, an amendment prohibiting funds from being used to implement tariffs that increase the cost of over-the-counter medications, and a proposal directing a study on the potential impacts of cuts to WIC.
Bynum also offered a motion to reconsider the legislation and send it back to committee for additional changes. That effort was also rejected.
During floor debate, Bynum focused much of her criticism on proposed changes to WIC benefits, arguing that reducing fruit and vegetable benefits would negatively affect women and young children who rely on the program.
In remarks on the House floor, Bynum cited what she described as evidence supporting the program’s effectiveness and said policymakers should be working to improve access to healthy food rather than reduce benefits.
“We know these benefits work,” Bynum said. “These benefits help parents bring home apples instead of ultra-processed snacks, carrots instead of empty calories, and healthier options across the board that set children up for success.”
Bynum said she would continue advocating for policies aimed at protecting food assistance programs and expanding access to healthy food for families.
“I will keep fighting to make sure that nothing, not inflation, and not out-of-touch Republicans in DC, gets to take healthy food away from moms and kids,” she said.
