Exclusive: Senate Dems blare alarm for Meals on Wheels funding

• The Democrats, led by Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), argued Congress shouldn't slash funding to the safety net programs in order to pay for extending tax cuts.
• "Congress should not give tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans by ripping away programs that almost 25 million Americans — close to 50% of whom are children — rely on for basic needs," the letter stated.

Zoom in: The lawmakers singled out Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), which provide support for Meals on Wheels and other programs, as two critical funding sources under threat by congressional Republicans.

• Republicans have adopted a budget resolution that directs the House Energy and Commerce Committee to cut $880 billion in spending, reductions that would most likely impact Medicaid and other programs.

The big picture: Democrats' top attack against Republicans has been about the potential cuts to Medicaid, but lawmakers argue an even broader range of social programs are at risk.

• Cuts to TANF and SSBG, the Democrats said, would affect children and seniors by slashing access to child care and early education, cutting funding for services that combat elder abuse and restricting access to Meals on Wheels programs.

Between the lines: Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) was the lone lawmaker who caucuses with Senate Democrats who did not sign onto the letter.

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