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Congressman Paul Tonko, representing New York's 20th District, will participate in a roundtable discussion today (April 4) at the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York in Latham. The focus of the discussion will be the impact of recent cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on local food pantries. Since President Trump returned to office, DOGE has implemented over a billion dollars in reductions to anti-hunger initiatives, affecting the availability of resources for those in need.
Concerns are also mounting over new tariffs issued by President Trump this week, which are expected to drive food prices to unprecedented levels. These tariffs could further strain the resources of food pantries, making it more challenging for them to serve their communities effectively.
Congressman Tonko's participation in the roundtable aims to address these pressing issues and explore potential solutions to mitigate the impact on local food pantries. The discussion will bring together various stakeholders to examine the challenges and identify strategies to support those affected by the cuts and rising food costs.