Congresswoman Adams Urges Governor McCrory To Veto NC HB 318
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Alma S. Adams (NC-12) today sent a letter to North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory, urging him to veto North Carolina House Bill 318, the Protect North Carolina Worker's Act. HB 318 was passed by the North Carolina General Assembly on Tuesday. Congresswoman Adams opposes the bill because it prevents the state of North Carolina from ever requesting a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to extend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for unemployed adults with no dependents, who have been out of work for an extended period of time. Congresswoman Adams also opposes provisions within the bill that are outright attacks on immigrants living in North Carolina.
"It is hard for me to understand the reasoning behind this senseless and mean-spirited legislation that has come out of the North Carolina General Assembly," said Congresswoman Adams. "HB 318 is an attack on North Carolinians who are out of work and our immigrant population. I urge Governor McCrory to keep the best interests of North Carolina's residents in mind, and veto this awful bill."
Currently, unemployed adults with no dependents, who are not disabled, may only receive SNAP benefits for three months during a 36-month period. Only state departments of health can request a waiver from USDA to extend the three month limit in areas that have higher rates of unemployment. HB 318 would prohibit the state of North Carolina from ever applying for a USDA waiver. North Carolina's 12th District has a 13.8 percent unemployment rate, more than double the state and national averages.
In her letter to Governor McCrory, Congresswoman Adams wrote, "The 12th District of North Carolina has an unemployment rate of 13.8 percent, more than any other district in the state. Two of the counties I represent, Guilford and Mecklenburg, also have the largest populations of people receiving SNAP benefits in North Carolina…HB 318 does not save the state any money, and hurts retailers that sell food, resulting in lost sales tax for the state treasury. All this bill does is punish people in high unemployment areas and limits the state's ability to meet the needs of the unemployed."
Full text of Congresswoman Adams' letter to Governor McCrory is attached.