A federal court has halted an effort by the Trump administration to limit the foods that recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program may buy, ruling that the proposed restrictions overstepped the authority granted to the executive branch.
The order specifically targeted a policy that would have barred the use of SNAP benefits for purchases of sugary drinks, candy and similar items. The judge found that the administration had exceeded the limits set by the statute that governs the program.
SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and serves tens of millions of low-income Americans. Federal law has historically allowed benefits to be used for most food products, with narrow exceptions such as alcohol, tobacco and hot prepared meals.
Supporters of the restrictions argued they would steer recipients toward healthier choices, while critics warned they would stigmatize beneficiaries and create administrative burdens for retailers. The ruling leaves the existing rules in place pending any appeal.
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Sources:
https://geopoliticsreport.substack.com/p/this-week-in-geopolitics-28th-june