Raising my three grandchildren as a multigenerational caregiver, I expect the unexpected. Each day brings its own challenges, but nothing prepared me for the rollercoaster of navigating repeated attacks on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

As a custodial grandmother in Washington, D.C., I rely on programs like SNAP to ensure my family not only survives but thrives. Yet, the constant threat of proposed cuts to essential food assistance services casts a shadow of fear and instability over our lives.

After months of stopgap funding, federal lawmakers finally reached a deal to prevent a government shutdown and ensure funding until September 30, 2024. However, this agreement offers no assurance that those who need SNAP the most won’t face eligibility and access hurdles. While the federal government determines SNAP funding, it's the states that control eligibility and oversee distribution to recipients. Now, in Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, and West Virginia, far-right Republicans are gunning to undermine their states’ ability to assist those who need it most: children and older adults.

I refuse to accept a future where politicians leave my grandchildren hungry because they lack the backbone to stand up for their constituents in their home districts and their neighbors—like me—in The District.

Although SNAP in D.C. remains unscathed, our Maryland neighbors may not be as fortunate. Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) has proposed legislation restricting which foods can be purchased with SNAP benefits in Maryland. Attacks like Harris’ disproportionately impact Maryland families who contribute to the DMV’s economy, culture, and community, constraining their choices simply because they reside in Maryland just a few miles north or east of my D.C. address.

Imagine the dire effects eligibility restrictions would pose if introduced in D.C., where 1 in 5 residents rely on SNAP to have food on the table. Without this vital assistance, I face........

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