Sen. John Fetterman is back from his depression treatment at Walter Reed, and the Pennsylvania Senator had a little fun on social media upon his return. Some “fringy” conspiracy theory types had floated the idea that Dems had secured a body double for Fetterman in order to forward their agenda while he was on leave.
Fetterman contradicted the notion the way Stephen Colbert might have, with the comic video below.
Thought it was time to address the rumor: I do not have a body double. pic.twitter.com/dndGUt9OK7
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) April 18, 2023
But Fetterman’s next series of tweets were no laughing matter at all. As Fetterman chaired his first Agriculture Department subcommittee meeting (full video) on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics and Research, he was mostly concerned about two things: 1) American food security and how it is affected by the SNAP program (commonly referred to as food stamps) and 2) the success of American farmers and rural residents.
Fetterman doesn’t directly say he wants to “feed the poor” — but SNAP is meant to combat food insecurity among the financially distressed.
It's time to come together and stop playing political games with Americans' access to food.
— Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) April 19, 2023
We need to make SNAP work for the 21st century. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress and at USDA to get it done.
“Stop playing games,” Fetterman implored his colleagues, some of whom in the GOP have targeted SNAP as a place to cut spending. “It’s time to come together and stop playing political games with Americans’ access to food,” Fetterman tweeted. “We need to make SNAP work for the 21st century.”
Fetterman faces resistance because of a common perception that such programs get abused by their subscribers. One comment succinctly outlines the doubts that trigger reluctance and objection, though it overstates the level of graft citing an “overwhelming majority” that research doesn’t support.
Still, the comment text below is the counterargument in a nutshell against Fetterman’s case:
“The overwhelming majority of people who take advantage of SNAP are not truly in need of it. They’re fully capable of paying for their own food and simply exploit the government giveaways that keep the cycle of dependency and wasteful spending going.”
That outlook may not be backed up by evidence, but the sentiment is pervasive — and therefore powerful — especially among those on the right.
Another Fetterman tweet references how SNAP is linked to American farms and farmers:
We are the richest country in the world but more than 34 million American households (including 9 million children!) are threatened with food insecurity.
— Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) April 19, 2023
Funding SNAP is a worthwhile investment. Our farmers, rural communities, and vulnerable populations are worth investing in.
Backgrounder on the SNAP/Farmer link:
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, is a federal program that provides assistance to low-income individuals and families in the United States to purchase food. While SNAP is not directly related to American farmers, it can indirectly benefit them by increasing demand for food products.
SNAP recipients use their benefits to purchase food at retail grocery stores, including products produced by American farmers. This increased demand for food can help support the agricultural industry, which is an important part of the American economy. Additionally, some farmers markets and farm stands are authorized to accept SNAP benefits, providing another avenue for SNAP recipients to access fresh, locally grown produce.
Furthermore, the federal government has implemented several programs to support American farmers and help them sell their products to institutions that serve low-income individuals, including schools, food banks, and other community organizations. These programs include the National School Lunch Program, the Emergency Food Assistance Program, and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.
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