Senator Marco Rubio from Florida is advocating for a reform of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that would prohibit the use of federal benefits to buy junk food.
Senator Marco Rubio calls for SNAP reform to prohibit junk food purchases with federal benefits
In an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, the senator mentioned data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) which shows that 20% of SNAP’s spending goes toward unhealthy food and drinks. Rubio argued that this situation is “immoral, irresponsible, and reprehensible” given that more than 40% of U.S. adults are obese, and roughly half have diabetes or prediabetes.
The senator plans to introduce legislation that would explicitly exclude sodas and prepared desserts from SNAP, in favor of healthier food options like milk and pure fruit juice. Rubio believes that this reform will promote healthier diets and eventually reduce medical expenses, while also addressing food deserts in low-income neighborhoods.
Rubio also referenced a USDA report that states that 20 cents of every dollar spent under the benefits program goes toward “sweetened beverages, desserts, salty snacks, candy, and sugar.”
He argues that ignoring nutrition in the country has resulted in the deaths of thousands of Americans each day, as highlighted by former Agriculture secretaries under Presidents Clinton, George W. Bush, and Obama.
Rubio acknowledged that there are opponents to his proposal, but believes that it is not compassionate or responsible to spend taxpayer dollars on empty calories that contribute to health crises. He called on Congress to act on this issue as they work on the next farm bill.
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