Agriculture and Nutritional Programs
Raised in rural South Texas, Congresswoman Garcia experienced firsthand the challenges faced by working-class families, farmworkers, and geographically isolated communities. Her commitment to social justice is reflected in her support for policies that enhance access to food assistance and address inequities in rural areas. This has made her a strong advocate for initiatives that help marginalized populations, including farmworkers and students.
As Congress continues to work toward a clean Farm Bill reauthorization, the Congresswoman is fighting to ensure that Republicans cannot make significant nutritional programs such as SNAP that many in her district depend on to get ahead and provide for their families.
She cosponsored the Farmers Feeding America Act of 2023, which would reauthorize The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). TEFAP is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of people with low income by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost.
The Congresswoman is a cosponsor of the Office of Colonias and Farmworker Initiatives Establishment Act of 2023. This bill establishes an office to improve engagement and service to border colonias and farmworkers.
Congresswoman Garcia cosponsored the Enhance Access to SNAP Act (EATS) Act of 2023. The EATS Act removes eligibility restrictions for college students to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
She cosponsored the Stop Child Hunger Act of 2023, which would expand the summer electronic benefits transfer program for children to include coverage during school closures. Summer EBT provides grocery-buying benefits to low-income families with school-aged children when schools are closed for the summer.