15 G.O.P. Governors Shut Out Food Aid for 8 Million Children
More than eight million children in 15 Republican-led states will be excluded from a new federal food assistance program that provides low-income families with $120 per eligible child for food purchases. The $2.5 billion Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program was approved with bipartisan support and has seen 35 states, all five U.S. territories, and four tribal nations sign up. However, 15 states, including Florida, Texas, and Vermont rejected the program, citing concerns regarding program mechanics, administrative costs, and a lack of faith in the federal government. Food insecurity in the U.S. households rose to 17 million in 2022, up from 13.5 million in 2021. The future of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) also remains uncertain due to budgetary challenges.
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