Photo: AFP
Rep. Clay Higgins (R-Louisiana) is facing widespread backlash after suggesting that people who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) but don’t have a month’s worth of groceries stocked to brace for the freeze should "stop smoking crack."
Higgins made the controversial comment on Thursday (October 30), just days before families are set to have their November SNAP benefits suspended amid the ongoing government shutdown.
“There are 22 million American households receiving SNAP benefits for groceries, at $4200 per year on average. Try to get your head wrapped around how many pantries you can stock with $4200 dollars in properly shopped groceries. Any American who has been receiving $4200 dollars per year of free groceries and does NOT have at least 1 month of groceries stocked should never again receive SNAP, because wow, stop smoking crack," Higgins wrote on X.
Higgins' comment sparked outrage online as social media users called out the Republican lawmaker for reinforcing racist stereotypes and his lack of understanding about the realities of food costs.
“‘Stop smoking crack.’ Way to play to old stereotypes. How much do you spend annually on food? I bet you have no idea. When was the last time you personally did the grocery shopping for your family?” Republican Sarah Stogner, district attorney for Texas’ 143rd Judicial District, said on X.
Miranda Yaver, a health policy professor at the University of Pittsburgh, noted that the average SNAP benefit is about $6.20 per person per day.
“Not enough to live," Yaver wrote.
“When was the last time you went grocery shopping? Completely and absolutely out of touch," Bruno Pereira, chair of the New Jersey Libertarian Party, added.
The ongoing government shutdown is set to disrupt food assistance for nearly 43 million Americans starting on Saturday (November 1). New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency, and Democrats are urging House Speaker Mike Johnson to allow a vote to fund the program.
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