Author: A. L. Kaplan

This is the banner on the USDA website.

“Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to not fund the food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats. They can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance.”

 Let’s ignore for a moment the clear violation of the Hatch act which prohibits the use of government resources for partisan ends.

Instead, I’m going to focus on the lies, propaganda, and hate mongering.

“Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to not fund the food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).”

In July 2025 the Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act cut about $186 billion from SNAP programs, and then in September 2025 the USDA announced it would no longer produce reports on food insecurity in the U.S., calling them “redundant, costly, politicized, and extraneous studies” that “do nothing more than fear monger.” I guess they don’t want to see reports that show how bad their bill is affecting American citizens.

Money runs out for the SNAP program on November 1, and many states are dipping into their own emergency funds to feed their constituents.

There are over 5 million dollars allocated in contingency money that can be used for the SNAP program. This administration is refusing to release the funds, a reversal of what they said in September. This administration also says they won’t reimburse states who use their emergence funds to help mothers and babies. This administration would rather people starve for their political agenda.

“…healthcare for illegal aliens…”

Illegal aliens have not ever qualified for Medicare or Medicaid. This is not something the Democrats are asking for.

What is being requested, is for the premium tax credits that support access to the Affordable Care Act marketplace for healthcare insurance to be extended so people can afford healthcare.

In their “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” of July, Republicans extended tax cuts for the wealthy and for corporations but permitted the premium tax credits to expire.

Democrats have also asked for Congress to put back into Medicaid the $1 trillion the Republicans took out of it in their One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

“…gender mutilation procedures…”

Circumcisions? That is a religiose thing. Separation of church and state are in our constitution.  If they are referring to our transgender citizens, surgery and permanent changes are only done to consenting adults and only after intense consultation with doctors and therapists. If this administration plans to stop gender affirming care, they need to stop other physical alterations. That would include tattoos, body piercing, breast implants, cosmetic surgery, hair implants….Oh, don’t forget to add Viagra to that list.

Congress

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has canceled House business yet again next week, meaning that over the last 17 weeks, the House of Representatives will have worked on Capitol Hill for just 20 days. Republicans are refusing to negotiate.

In case you didn’t realize. Unlike our furloughed federal workers and the critical employees working without pay like TSA and Air traffic Controllers, Congress is getting a paid vacation. Their salary is not tied to the rest of the budget. Their health benefits are also not affected.

Think about that.