Ever wonder what happens when a “Big Beautiful Bill” gets called “Big Ugly”? Rep. John Garamendi just visited a local food bank to sound the alarm on proposed federal cuts that could leave millions hungry. It’s a fight for vital nutrition programs affecting seniors, children, and low-income families. What would these cuts mean for our communities?

U.S. Representative John Garamendi recently delivered a forceful message at the Contra Costa–Solano Food Bank, passionately denouncing proposed federal budget cuts he warns would severely cripple vital nutrition programs nationwide.

Dubbing the President Trump-backed legislation the “Big Ugly Bill,” Garamendi joined a coalition of food bank leaders and dedicated community advocates to condemn its far-reaching implications, asserting that the cuts would gut essential support systems for millions.

The proposed legislation, they emphasized, poses an existential threat to the most vulnerable segments of American society, including seniors, children, and low-income families who rely heavily on these critical social safety nets for basic sustenance and well-being, exacerbating existing food insecurity.

Speakers at the press conference underscored that the bill’s negative repercussions extend beyond direct food access, jeopardizing crucial school lunch programs and even impacting local farmers whose businesses are integral to feeding communities and supporting the agricultural economy.

Garamendi highlighted the paradox of a wealthy nation allowing such cuts while simultaneously providing substantial tax breaks for the ultra-rich, stressing that “America is a wealthy country. There is no reason for anyone to go hungry.” He advocated for legislative action through bills like the Strengthening Local Food Security Act and the Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act.

Voices from the community, such as Vacaville resident Elizabeth Camposanto, shared personal accounts of how local food programs provide indispensable support, while Hailey Solares, Advocacy and Policy Manager at the food bank, warned that the cuts could eliminate the equivalent of six billion meals annually, an unsustainable gap for food banks to fill.

J.P. Contreras, CalFresh Outreach Coordinator, detailed how the bill is already sowing confusion and fear among beneficiaries, particularly immigrants, who worry about eligibility and potential risks, underscoring the urgent need for widespread community advocacy and awareness regarding these federal budget cuts.

Community advocate Laura McLane’s poignant story of overcoming homelessness and addiction underscored the deeply personal human toll of hunger and poverty, reinforcing Garamendi’s call for continued efforts to educate Americans about the dangers and economic impact of these proposed legislative changes.