WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — On Wednesday, a House committee held a hearing examining the benefits of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
House Republicans believe SNAP recipients should limit themselves to robust options because they eat at the government’s expense.
“Subsidizing foods that are detrimental to health and nutrition is counterproductive to the original purpose of SNAP,” said Republican Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland.
More than 40 million households receive monthly SNAP benefits, and the USDA has found that supple drinks are the most common purchase made through SNAP.
Harris is pushing a program that would ban people from buying soda and candy with SNAP.
“The SNAP program focuses solely on providing calories and not on providing nutritious food,” Harris said.
Democratic Congressman Sanford Bishop of Georgia opposes the idea.
“The majority proposal is, at best, an ill-conceived idea and, at worst, a sloppy proposal that misses its target,” Bishop said.
Bishop says these families already face numerous obstacles when trying to buy healthier foods.
“This includes a physical disability, as 22% of recipients in 2020 had no income other than SNAP,” Bishop said.
Some independent grocery stores oppose the Republican plan.
“Choice and flexibility make SNAP the effective program it is today,” said Michael Gay of Independent Community Grocers.
A group of doctors told lawmakers at a hearing on SNAP on Wednesday that they support restrictions on unhealthy foods.
“To ensure SNAP recipients have access to foods that heal, not harm,” said Dr. Robert Seligson.
The next battle for lawmakers will be funding the relief program in the upcoming farm bill.
