Sara Hayes

Grassroots Lobbying Assignment Parts 1 and 2

1, State Representatives

A. Local Representative:
a. John Katko- Republican
B. State Senators:
a. Kirsten E. Gillibrand- Democrat
b. Charles E. Schumer- Democrat

2A. Summary of the Legislation

a. Number and title of the bill:
H.R.3875 - College Student Hunger Act of 2017

b. Summary of the bill:

This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to expand the eligibility of students to
participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to include individuals
enrolled in an institution of higher education. These individuals would be eligible if they: (1)
have an expected family contribution of zero, as determined by the procedures established the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA); or (2) are determined to be independent based on
specified criteria included in the HEA.

c. Sponsor(s)/Cosponsor(s):
1. Rep. Jerrold Nadler [D-NY-10]
2. Rep. Adriano Espaillat [D-NY-13]
3. Rep. Dwight Evans [D-PA-2]
4. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman [D-NJ-12]
5. Rep. Frederica S. Wilson [D- FL- 24]

d. Major actions taken:

Introduced in House on September 28, 2017

2B. Legislation Sponsored by State Representatives

No

Grassroots Lobbying Assignment Part 3: Letter to Local Representative (Next Page)

November 14, 2018
Sara Hayes
Marywood University
2300 Adams Avenue
Scranton, PA 18509
sehayes@m.marywood.edu
(315) 882-4188

The Honorable John Katko

House of Representatives
1620 Longworth House Office Building
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC, 20515

Dear Representative Katko,

I am very fortunate to have enough money to be able to provide myself with food every day. As a
college student who grew up in the middle class, I can understand how difficult it is to pay for groceries
along with rent, books, and other utilities. I am currently a Junior at Marywood University who is
enrolled in the Nutrition and Dietetics program. Recently, I have become very concerned about the lack of
legislative impact on nutrition in college students. As a parent of two college students yourself, I am sure
that you share empathy for many of these concerns.

Research has shown that more than a third of college students are food insecure. This lack of food
can impact students both physically and mentally. Food insecurity in a college student affects their grades
and test scores in a negative way, which can lead to a difficulty in graduating. However, their lack of
resources does not mean these students spend less time in the classroom. In fact, research shows that these
students often devote just as much time as those students who are not food insecure, and food insecure
students often balance a part-time job to cover basic expenses at the same time.

I ask that you support College Student Hunger Act of 2017. In supporting this bill, college-aged
students that are independent or have zero family income will be able to receive SNAP benefits. This is a
very small price to invest in the futures of our nation’s young adults. All college students should have the
opportunity to eat while pursuing a college degree. I believe that in supporting this bill, you will impact
the lives of countless college students in a positive way.

Sincerely,

Sara Hayes