The United States Is Letting Its People Starve

"Last week, however, a scene worthy of Versailles unfolded: While Trump built his $300 million ballroom, the US prepared to face widespread hunger. With Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding scheduled to run dry due to the government shutdown, the Trump administration not only refused to prevent the crisis-it fought in court to deprive 42 million SNAP recipients of their grocery money. Thankfully, a federal judge ruled against the government and ordered that SNAP payments proceed."

"SNAP, or food stamps, is one of the core provisions of the nation's frayed social safety net. Over 12 percent of the population receives SNAP benefits to buy groceries, and the program is available only to those whose net household income lands them at or below the federal poverty line. For a family of four, that's just $32,150 per year."

Millions rallied to assert democratic limits, while the administration prioritized a lavish Trump ballroom as SNAP funding neared exhaustion during a government shutdown. The administration litigated to block benefits for 42 million recipients, prompting a federal judge to order payments. The administration later funded only half of typical benefits, and 2.4 million people face imminent loss as $186 billion in proposed SNAP cuts begin. SNAP serves over 12 percent of Americans, restricted to households at or below the federal poverty line (about $32,150 for a family of four). Roughly 40 percent of recipients are children; about 30 percent are elderly or disabled.

Read at The Nation