ICYMI: Warnock Highlights False Choice Between Health Care and Food Access During Government Shutdown

Senator Reverend Warnock visited Goodr Grocery in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood to highlight the harm of the Trump Administration’s attempt to block SNAP benefits for 1.4 million Georgians

The Trump Administration attempted to cut off food access for working families to gain political leverage in shutdown negotiations

The visit follows recent federal court rulings demanding the administration use available funding to continue food aid for 42 million Americans during the shutdown

Atlanta, GA –– U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) recently visited Goodr Community Market in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood to highlight the consequences of the Trump Administration’s attempt to cut off SNAP access in order to gain leverage in shutdown negotiations. Senator Warnock met with owner Jasmine Crowe-Houston to discuss the impacts that the confusion over SNAP funding during the shutdown is having on her small business and on members of the community relying on this critical aid.

Media coverage of Senator Warnock’s visit to Goodr can be found below:

Fox 5: Warnock criticizes Trump administration over SNAP funding pause

During a visit to a community market in Atlanta’s Edgewood neighborhood Monday, Warnock said the delay in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments, known as SNAP, is hurting families who depend on the aid.
“SNAP recipients were not in this fight,” Warnock told reporters. “They were dragged in this fight by this administration. I want you to think about this. They are literally pitting sick people against hungry people.”
Warnock said Georgians trying to renew their health insurance during the shutdown are finding their costs sharply higher.
“What’s at stake right now is that we have some 1.2 million Georgians who, are opening up the portal and they’re seeing that their health care costs have doubled,” he said. “And for some, it is triple and quadruple. That’s what this fight was about, and that’s what it is about.”

AP: Trump administration says SNAP will be partially funded after judges’ rulings

Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia on Monday visited a market near downtown run by Goodr, a group that provides food.
“SNAP recipients were not in this fight,” Warnock said.” They were dragged into this fight by the administration. And so I want you to think about this: They are literally pitting sick people against hungry people. I can’t think of anything more craven than that.”
The Georgia Democrat called on Trump to broker negotiations.
“What has he been doing during the shutdown?” Warnock asked. “I think there was a ‘Great Gatsby’ Halloween party over the weekend, putting a wrecking ball to the East Wing of the White House, while putting a wrecking ball to our economy.”

11 Alive: Atlanta small business, restaurant helping feed those impacted by loss of SNAP benefits

On Monday, Sen. Raphael Warnock stopped by the Goodr Community Market in the Edgewood neighborhood to see how the local nonprofit is supporting residents affected by the partial suspension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP.
Warnock said he remains committed to protecting access to health care, calling it “a matter of life or death.” He added that ending the shutdown now depends on Republican leaders in Washington.
“SNAP recipients were not in this fight,” Warnock said. “They were dragged into this fight by the administration.”
Warnock visited Crowe Houston’s market on Monday to see how they’re helping with free groceries and meal deliveries for seniors. He said he won’t cave on the healthcare issue, but hopes the shutdown will end soon.
“They are literally pitting sick people against hungry people,” he said. “I can’t think of anything more craven than that.”
According to state data, about 1.[4] million Georgians — including one in six households in Fulton County — rely on SNAP benefits.

Atlanta News First: Sen. Warnock tours community market, calls on Republicans to reopen government

On Monday, the senator visited the Goodr Community Market on Edgewood Avenue. Around 90% of its customers rely on SNAP benefits.
“I can tell you that people who live in this neighborhood, who sit in the pews of my church, aren’t thinking about the politicians. They’re thinking about their families,” he said. “The Republicans have the White House. They have the House. They have the Senate. If they want to reopen the government, they can do it anytime they want.”

CBS Atlanta: Sen. Raphael Warnock emphasizes need for SNAP as Georgians wait for food assistance

In Atlanta, Sen. Raphael Warnock visited the Goodr Community Market on Edgewood Avenue to emphasize the critical need for the continuation of SNAP and the urgency to end the government shutdown.
“SNAP recipients were not in this fight,” Warnock said. “They were dragged into this fight by this administration.”
As the shutdown gets closer to a record 35 days, Warnock said he would keep fighting for SNAP recipients.
“Food is a matter of life and death,” he said.

AJC: State lawmakers pressure Georgia’s congressional delegation on shutdown

Warnock on Monday visited the Goodr Community Market on Edgewood, a grocery store near downtown that accepts SNAP payments for food. With tears in her eyes, Goodr CEO Jasmine Crowe-Houston told the senator, “I worry when people don’t have food. It’s an unsafe situation.”
Warnock said he knows both parties are looking to score political points from the shutdown, but it should be focused on who is hurting.
“The people who live in this neighborhood, who sit in the pews of my church, aren’t thinking about the politicians. They’re thinking about their families,” he said. “What’s at stake right now is that we have some 1.2 million Georgians who are opening up the (ACA) portal, and they’re seeing that their health care costs have doubled on average. For some, it has tripled and quadrupled.”

WJBF: Georgia families face hardship as SNAP benefits are cut amid government shutdown

Senator Raphael Warnock toured the Goodr Community Market in Atlanta on Monday to see how the government shutdown is affecting families who rely on SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
The market, located off Edgewood Avenue, has been open for 90 days and provides affordable produce, groceries, and deli items for seniors and families using EBT cards.
Jasmine Crowe-Houston, the founder and CEO of Goodr, says nine out of 10 customers rely on SNAP and are already struggling.
Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff are urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to use its authority to fund SNAP this month. Warnock called the shutdown a “manufactured crisis” and emphasized that food and healthcare are fundamental human rights.
Federal data shows more than 1.4 million Georgians rely on SNAP, including over 600,000 children.

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