(Bryan Dozier / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images) |
By Abby J. Leibman | As the federal government lurches toward a second month of shutdown, SNAP is dominating the headlines. In a moment marked by fear, confusion and misinformation, the Trump administration and Republican leaders in Congress are offering plenty of inflammatory rhetoric—but little real problem-solving.
Over the weekend, USDA posted the following banner on its website:
“Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to not fund the food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats. They can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance.”
First, this appears to be a blatant violation of the Hatch Act, which prohibits the use of taxpayer funds for political purposes—including partisan statements like this.
Second, the Republicans in this Congress and administration are the first in decades to dismantle the longstanding bipartisan support for SNAP. The USDA seems to have conveniently forgotten that just months ago, the Republican-led Congress took an axe to the program, enacting the largest cuts in its history. As if that weren’t enough, they shifted millions of dollars in costs to the states—so much so that several have already warned they may be forced to eliminate the program altogether.
This is no small slip. And yes, I’m looking at you, Russell Vought. (Click here to read more) |
