Could SNAP benefits become more restrictive?

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Wednesday, a House committee held a hearing examining the benefits of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

House Republicans say since SNAP recipients eat on the government’s dime they should be limited to healthy options.

“Subsidizing foods that harm health and nutrition is counterproductive to the original purpose of SNAP,” Rep. Andy Harris, (R-Md.) said.

More than 40 million households receive monthly SNAP benefits and the USDA found that soft drinks are the number one purchase using SNAP.

Harris is pushing a program that would prohibit people from buying soda and candy with SNAP.

“The SNAP program is solely focused on providing calories rather than nutritious food,” Harris said.

Georgia Democratic Congressman Sanford Bishop opposes the idea.

“The majority’s proposal is, at best a half-baked idea and at worst, a negligent suggestion that misses the mark,” Bishop said.

Bishop says these families already face a number of barriers when trying to buy healthier food.

“Including being physically disabled as 22% of recipients were in 2020, having no income other than SNAP,” Bishop said.

Some independently owned grocery stores oppose the proposed plan by Republicans.

“Choice and flexibility makes SNAP the effective program it is today,” Michael Gay of Independent Community Grocers said.

A group of doctors told lawmakers at a hearing on SNAP Wednesday that they support limits on non-health foods.

“To ensure that SNAP recipients have access to foods that will heal, not harm,” Dr. Robert Seligson said.

The next fight for lawmakers will be funding the assistance program in the upcoming farm bill.

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