LINCOLN, Neb. – A lifetime ban on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for people with certain drug felony convictions will remain in effect
On Monday, Nebraska state senators fell short of the 30 votes needed to override Gov. Jim Pillen’s veto of LB 319, a bill that ended the lifetime SNAP ban impacting Nebraskans who have been convicted for distributing a controlled substance or for three felonies of simple possession or use of a controlled substance.
Seven lawmakers who had previously voted for LB 319 voted to sustain the veto: State Sens. Armendariz, Clouse, Dover, Meyer, Moser, Sanders and von Gillern.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska testified in support of ending the lifetime SNAP ban alongside representatives from other advocacy groups, religious organizations and law enforcement agencies.
ACLU of Nebraska Executive Director Mindy Rush Chipman made this statement on today’s vote:
“No one benefits from this vote,” Rush Chipman said. “The SNAP ban will keep making life harder for struggling Nebraskans, adding food insecurity to the mix of collateral consequences that are already hurting them and their families long after their sentence ended. Meanwhile, all Nebraskans will continue to feel the impacts of a state that continues to choose punishment over people. I thank the senators who voted to override the veto and the many Nebraskans who spoke up for ending the SNAP ban. I hope those Nebraskan tell their senator and the governor what they think of the governor’s veto tanking this commonsense bill.”
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