politics
House Oversight Panel Examines SNAP Purchases During Thursday Hearing
Rep. Brandon Gill questioned a policy advocate on whether taxpayer-funded SNAP benefits should cover sugary sodas. The exchange occurred during a subcommittee review of waste, fraud and abuse in the program.
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A House Oversight subcommittee held a hearing Thursday on waste, fraud and abuse in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, questioned Gina Plata-Nino, director of policy and advocacy for the Food Research and Action Center, about whether SNAP dollars should cover soda purchases.
Fox News reported that Gill asked whether SNAP benefits should pay for soda and whether Americans need Coca-Cola to survive. Plata-Nino replied that the program provides families with food and beverages. She added that some people with low blood sugar or kidney issues might require sugary drinks.
Gill followed up by asking what nutritional value Coca-Cola provides. Plata-Nino stated she is a food security expert rather than a nutritionist. She said the worst health outcome is hunger and that her focus remains ensuring families have access to food resources.
The program serves more than 40 million Americans at a cost of roughly $100 billion, Fox News reported. Republicans at the hearing argued that lax oversight has allowed misuse of funds, while Democrats warned against restricting benefits for eligible families.
