Republican governors in 15 states reject summer food money for kids

[FSogol]

Republican governors in 15 states are rejecting a new federally funded program to give food assistance to hungry children during the summer months, denying benefits to 8 million children across the country.

The program is expected to serve 21 million youngsters starting around June, providing $2.5 billion in relief across the country.

The governors have given varying reasons for refusing to take part, from the price tag to the fact that the final details of the plan have yet to be worked out. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) said she saw no need to add money to a program that helps food-insecure youths “when childhood obesity has become an epidemic.” Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R) said bluntly, “I don’t believe in welfare.”

Republican leaders have been criticized for playing politics with children in need, but they argue it is necessary to revert to pre-pandemic spending levels at a time when the United States is trillions of dollars in debt and lawmakers in Washington are struggling to come to a budget agreement. The summer food program was approved as part of a bipartisan budget agreement in 2022.

More by Annie Gowen at Washington Post
https://wapo.st/48UzyPn

[Walleye]

1. So they think they can balance the budget by starving poor children

Of course they can’t, this is all about being as cruel as possible. It impresses their friends. And of course they get to go back on an agreement they made. They love that. Without broken promises they’d have no promises at all

[Freddie]

2. More from the "pro-life" party

[redqueen]

3. Maybe starving the children in their own states

will get at least some of the rubes to stop voting for the rich people first party.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Throw tomatoes

[Mysterian]

5. I just wonder why people vote for these evil, hypocritical fools

But I know the answer....because the angry man on TV told them what to think and what to do.

This refusal is abhorrent, just like the refusal to expand Medicare under the ACA.

[patphil]

6. Gov. Reynolds is quite the self-righteous asshole.

She simply sidesteps the issue of hunger by misdirecting us to those families where hunger isn't an issue. Yes, a lot of children are overweight, but that has nothing to do with all those kids who don't have enough to eat.
It's a specious argument, based on a callous indifference to the real needs of children who come from poor families.
Lack of proper nutrition during childhood years can negatively affect long term health and mental capacity. But then, what does she care?
I suspect political and/or racial reasons for her callous indifference.

[FSogol]

7. I disagree that it is political or racial. She

Wants to starve poor white kids too. She is just an asshole aligning with a party of assholes to be cruel.

In a just world, she and her kids would go hungry until she learned some empathy. In reality, she is a lost cause. The GOP needs to be voted out of all offices and moved to the dustbin of history.

[patphil]

10. I see your point. But take a look at the poverty breakdown for Nebraska.

Scroll down a bit to where you see the poverty breakdown by race or ethnicity. I'll let you draw your own conclusion.

https://www.unomaha.edu/college-of-public-affairs-and-community-service/center-for-public-affairs-research/documents/poverty-infographic.pdf

It's about 60-40 whites vs minorities in poverty. But the overall percentage of minorities in poverty is much higher that for whites.
So, I agree with you, it might not be racial or ethnic reasons that drive her decision. But then, maybe she just doesn't see poor people as a necessary part of her voting base.

[Mountainguy]

8. Georgia is a bold move

Consider8ng that it is far some a safe R state. Need to make this one hurt for them.

[republianmushroom]

9. Once out of the womb baby you are on your own.