WASHINGTON, D. C. – Just as it’s a yearly tradition for the President of the United States to address a joint session of Congress, it’s a yearly tradition for Congress members to invite guests to make political points.
U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown, a Warrensville Heights Democrat, announced Monday that she’s inviting Greater Cleveland Food Bank President Kristin Warzocha to be her guest at Tuesday’s speech. Brown wants to highlight proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
“I want my colleagues to understand that these cuts will not make our country stronger, they will force more folks to rely on food banks—or go hungry,” said Brown, who last week voted against a Republican budget proposal that she said would cut SNAP by $230 billion nationally.
Trump is set to address Congress at 9 p.m. EST on Tuesday. In the first speech he’s delivered to Congress since returning to the White House in January, he’s expected to plug his administration’s efforts to reduce the size of the federal government, expel illegal immigrants, and redefine U.S. foreign policy.
Cleveland.com has asked other Congress members who represent Northeast Ohio who they plan to bring to the speech.
U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman, a Cincinnati Democrat, is bringing a constituent named Ken Green, who has lived with Type 1 diabetes his entire life. Landsman has introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and says Green will help raise awaress of that problem.
Brown, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee, which has jurisdiction over the nation’s nutrition programs, said more than 180,000 of her constituents rely on SNAP to feed themselves, including a large proportion of households with children, elderly residents, and people with disabilities. She said her district has the highest proportion of SNAP recipients of any Ohio congressional district
Having Warzocha as her guest will recognize the food bank’s work, and spotlight the importance of fighting hunger in Northeast Ohio, said Brown.
“Thousands of our friends and neighbors are facing so much uncertainty right now and often don’t know where or how they will get their next meal,” said a statement from Warzocha. “Let’s use this historic gathering to shine a light on their challenges, tell their stories, and recommit ourselves to standing up for those facing hunger.
The Greater Cleveland Food Bank is the largest hunger relief organization in Northeast Ohio having served over 424,000 people in Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Ashland and Richland counties in FY2024, Brown’s office said. In 2022, Brown secured $4 million in Community Project Funding for its Capital Expansion and Capacity Building Project.
Sabrina Eaton writes about the federal government and politics in Washington, D.C., for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.
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