October 18, 2017

Wyden Amendment to Budget would Stop Republican Funding Cuts to Meals on Wheels

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today introduced an amendment to the budget legislation the Senate is considering that would protect the Meals on Wheels program from Republican efforts to gut the program and use that funding to pay for tax cuts for wealthy Americans.

The amendment would block any Republican budget proposal that would slash funding for Meals on Wheels.

“The list of appalling things in this budget grows by the hour, but among the worst is that Republicans want to pay for tax cuts to the wealthy by taking food out of the mouths of elderly Americans,” Wyden said.  “I am fighting this sick, heartless effort to cut funding for programs that provide fundamental assistance to those who need it.”

In Oregon, Meals on Wheels programs produce thousands of hot meals throughout the state for seniors in nursing home dining rooms or sent out to homebound seniors.

The Senate is considering the budget resolution this week. Wyden – a long-time Meals on Wheels supporter who has seen firsthand the vital service this program provides – is a senior member of the Senate Budget Committee and voted against the bill in the panel’s business meeting at the beginning of October.