Amo Joins Local Importer Hurt by Trump’s Tariff Chaos and Looming SNAP Impacts on School Meals
Trump’s yo-yo tariffs are hurting Rhode Island businesses. Imminent SNAP cuts to families’ benefits will also impact kids’ ability to get a healthy meal at school.
WOONSOCKET, RI – TODAY, Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI) joined Ace Endico New England, a local food importer and supplier of school lunch programs, to highlight how President Donald Trump’s tariff chaos and the Big, Ugly Law are impacting Rhode Islanders.
“Trump’s on-again, off-again tariffs are making it difficult for Rhode Island businesses to plan, hire, and succeed,” said Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI). “Ace Endico moved to Woonsocket in 2020 and has grown from a dozen employees to more than 80, importing foods for Rhode Island’s vibrant restaurant scene and nutritious meals for school kids. But, thanks to the double-whammy of Trump’s tariffs and the Big, Ugly Law’s impending SNAP cuts, Rhode Islanders’ livelihoods and New England school kids’ access to nutritious meals are at stake. I’m working around the clock in Congress to force a vote to stop Trump’s tariff abuses and to repeal the dangerous provisions of the Big, Ugly Law.”
“It was great to host Congressman Amo this morning and share the impacts of tariff policy and potential school lunch cuts on our bottom line,” said Jason Magnell, Vice President Ace Endico New England. “It was a productive conversation, and I’m grateful for Congressman Amo’s willingness to listen to small businesses and take our stories back to Washington to make change.”
Background
On July 17, 2025, Congressman Amo, Vice Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, joined colleagues trying to force a vote to end the made-up national emergency Trump is using to inflict these harmful tariffs.
On July 3, 2025, Congressman Amo voted no on the Big, Ugly Law after speaking out against the bill on the House Floor at 3:45 AM.
On July 2, 2025, Amo took to the floor to urge adoption of an amendment to protect Medicaid and SNAP. Republicans stood in the way.
On July 1, 2025, Amo spoke out in the House Rules Committee about Republicans’ dastardly plan to steal from the poor to gift tax handouts to the rich.
Amo signed two amicus briefs in Oregon v. Trump, urging the court to stop Trump’s abuse of emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to unlawfully impose reckless, across-the-board tariffs.
Earlier this year, ahead of threatened 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, Amo vigorously called for Trump to stop these threats which would add $3-$4 billion to construction costs and exacerbate the housing shortage facing Rhode Island working families.
On February 24, 2025, Amo submitted two amendments to the House Committee on Rules to protect SNAP and affirm that Medicaid is a critical program for more than 306,000 Rhode Island residents. The Republican-controlled House Committee on Rules refused to consider Congressman Amo’s amendments.
