For Immediate Release February 7, 2014 Contact: Patricia Cole pcole@catholiccharitiesusa.

org 703-236-6218

Catholic Charities USA Statement on the Enactment of the Farm Bill

Alexandria, Va. Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) President, Rev. Larry Snyder, issued the following statement today after President Obama signed the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013, better known as the Farm Bill, into law. Although the Farm Bill signed by the president today represents the kind of bipartisan results Congress can achieve when it puts aside partisanship and focuses on issues it can agree on, I am deeply disappointed that the most vulnerable will lose much needed benefits as a result of this compromise. As CCUSA and other charitable organizations continue to work together to examine ways to reduce poverty in America, we remain committed to working with policymakers both Democrats and Republicans alike to ensure that tough economic decisions are not made on the backs of the hungry in our country. Earlier this year leaders from 11 of the nations largest humanitarian organizations announced a new collaboration to fight the War on Poverty. Brought together by Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), leadership from Feeding America, Save the Children, The Salvation Army, National Alliance to End Homelessness, the Alliance for Children and Families, Lutheran Services in America, United Way, Bread of the World, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul pledged to work together in 2014 to educate, innovate and act to reduce poverty in communities across the country. For more information on CCUSAs efforts to reduce poverty and to sign the pledge visit: http://support.catholiccharitiesusa.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=12700

About Catholic Charities USA Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) is leading a national movement to end poverty in America. In communities across the country, Catholic Charities member agencies are helping individuals and families in poverty achieve their full potential. Together we are dedicated to creating a life of

opportunity and self-sufficiency for each of the 46 million of our brothers and sisters struggling to make ends meet. CCUSA was founded in 1910 on the campus of Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. as the National Conference of Catholic Charities. For more than 100 years, CCUSA has guided and supported the vast network of Catholic Charities agencies nationwide in a common mission to serve, advocate, and convene. For additional information, please visit www.catholiccharitiesusa.org. ###