The News. Just Thinking Out Loud…
Every day there is something new in the news that astounds us. Bringing up questions, thoughts, and concepts. We have this “germ” of an idea to chronicle this aspect of the news, journal style… starting “now!” We are not quite sure of the frequency yet, but we are thinking a few times a week is likely. OK then, ONWARD. Here we go!
October 29, 2025
On November 1, 2025 42 million impoverished and low income Americans will have no more access to the government assistance that puts food on their tables. Let that sink in. The U.S. of A., the richest, most powerful nation in the world, will deny Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP benefits "due to the government shutdown."
Yesterday Josh Hawley wrote an Op-Ed piece published in the NYT. He notes, "In 1960, while touring impoverished West Virginia, then-Senator John F. Kennedy promised, 'We will see to it that every American is fed and fed right.' A year after his assassination, Congress wrote the Food Stamp Act into law." This is the legislation that is the basis for SNAP. Far be it from me to be in agreement with Josh Hawley, and this doesn't absolve him of other times he himself did not put his constituents first, but really, he is right! This is not a Democrat or Republican tenet, this is US!! It is an American principle. We do not let people go hungry, least of all, children and the elderly, while Members of Congress are "out" yet collecting their paychecks and putting food on their families' tables, mind you. WTF! To make matters even worse, there IS FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR SNAP! Although the Federal Contingency funding administered by the USDA is intended to serve as a safety net for emergencies like hurricanes and other disasters, this funding has been used in the past to ensure benefit payments during government shutdowns. But in this case the USDA now states that covering the upcoming SNAP benefits during the shutdown is illegal. WHAT?
While it would be best for our government representatives to act like responsible grown-ups and get to work on negotiating a spending bill that can be passed, if that is not possible Josh Hawley has put forth legislation that ensures that SNAP benefits continue uninterrupted despite the government shutdown. Is this not common sense? Isn't this what American citizens want, and what SNAP beneficiaries need?
Just thinking out loud. SN
