A Democratic lawmaker is calling for a major shift in federal spending priorities, introducing new legislation aimed at restoring food assistance benefits while cutting billions in immigration enforcement funding.
U.S. Representative Shontel Brown announced the proposed “Feeding Families Not Fear Act,” a bill she is co-sponsoring with Jim McGovern, targeting funding allocations tied to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The proposal comes amid ongoing political debate over federal budget priorities under President Donald Trump, whose administration has been criticized by some lawmakers for increasing immigration enforcement spending while reducing social safety net programs.
“Congress should be helping American families, not adding to the chaos of their lives,” Brown said, saying the legislation was a response to rising living costs and food insecurity.
According to Brown, the bill seeks to redirect what she described as $75 billion in additional ICE funding toward restoring cuts to SNAP, a program that provides food assistance to millions of low-income Americans.
She argued that the current allocation reflects misplaced priorities.
“At the same time that ICE is getting more money, families are going hungry,” Brown said. “That’s backward thinking.”
The legislation would aim to reverse reported cuts totaling $186 billion from SNAP while scaling back funding for immigration enforcement operations, including detention centers and deportation efforts.
Brown also criticized broader economic pressures facing households, pointing to rising grocery prices and cost-of-living challenges.
“We have a White House that ignores families who are struggling to make ends meet,” she said, adding that the bill is designed to “give hungry families the help they need.”
Supporters of the proposal say it highlights growing concerns over food insecurity in the United States, particularly as inflation continues to affect essential goods. Critics, however, are likely to argue that immigration enforcement funding is necessary for border security and public safety.
The bill is expected to face significant political hurdles in Congress, where divisions over immigration policy and federal spending remain deeply entrenched.
Still, Brown said the effort is about refocusing national priorities.
“It’s time we get back to doing what’s right for American families,” she said.
