South Cuyahoga News

Rep. Shontel Brown, currently serving in the U.S. Congress representing Ohio's 11th district, recently addressed economic issues related to SNAP through a series of tweets. These comments highlight her views on the importance of SNAP not only as a safety net but also as an integral part of the economy.

In a tweet posted on May 13, 2025, Rep. Brown emphasized that SNAP supports "$20 billion in direct wages" and creates "jobs in trucking, warehousing, food production, and retail." She pointed out its significant role in supporting local economies, especially in rural areas where its usage is prevalent. "This isn’t just a safety net issue. It’s an economic issue."

On the same day, she expressed concern about proposed cuts to SNAP benefits by stating "These cuts take food off the tables of millions and money out of the pockets of farmers." This underscores her position that reducing these benefits would negatively impact both beneficiaries and agricultural stakeholders.

Further elaborating on potential solutions rather than cutting benefits, Rep. Brown suggested alternatives such as closing tax loopholes and ensuring that "the ultra-wealthy pay what they owe." She advocates for strengthening programs that support families and American agriculture instead of implementing reductions to SNAP. As she put it: "Cutting SNAP won't solve our budget problems."

Rep. Shontel Brown has served Ohio's 11th District since 2021 after succeeding Marcia Fudge. Before her congressional role, she was part of the Cuyahoga County Council from 2015 to 2021.