The summer benefits program is designed to fill a food gap for children who rely on free- and reduced-price school meals for much of their nutrition. After small pilot programs in a handful of states over the past four years, administrators are confident that even a $45 monthly benefit during the summer months can reduce severe food insecurity among low-income children by 30 percent. A nationwide program would benefit 20 million children each summer once fully operational, according to White House estimates.
The annual cost is $1.2 billion. Sounds like a lot, but keep in mind that the defense budget is some $600 billion a year!
The bill has bi-partisan support, but one representative, Robert Aderholt (R-AL), is apparently the only one blocking it. He can do this from his position as Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture.
Not only is Aderholt against abortion, he’s adamantly opposed to cutting the military budget. Other agricultural programs that Aderholt supports are all way more expensive than the summer EBT program, e.g. price supports for farmers and crop insurance; many of these programs benefit corporate landowners, what I call “big farma”.
I suggest that everyone read the link in the opening words above; all the details are there.
I wonder — who was this man’s mother? How was he raised? His father was a part-time minister for Congregationalist churches. I’m not Christian, but I can’t imagine that these are the Christian values he was taught by his parents.