Good, but will you all make 'healthy' food affordable? Of course not.
If a new Texas congressional bill moves forward, food stamp recipients will have to fund their sugar rush with their own money.
The proposal seeks to stop participants of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — known as SNAP or simply food stamps — from using the benefit to buy junk food such as energy drinks, cookies and candy.
The bill, proposed by state Rep. Briscoe Cain, would also ban carbonated drinks, potato or corn chips and any artificially sweetened beverages, including soda and fruit juices.
The proposal defines energy drink as those that are specifically designed to “provide metabolic stimulation or an increase to the consumer's mental or physical energy.” Coffee and other coffee-based beverages are not included in that category.
SNAP benefits 3.9 million Texans, or 14% of the state’s population, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Nationwide, it reaches more than 40 million people.
One of the reasons Cain said he proposed the bill is the number of Texans, and Americans, who have diabetes. A 2017 report estimated that more than 30 million Americans live with diabetes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
If passed, the legislation will take effect Sept. 1.
Texas bill would ban food stamp recipients from buying cookies, candy, energy drinks and other junk food
If a new Texas congressional bill moves forward, food stamp recipients will have to fund their sugar rush with their own money.
The proposal seeks to stop participants of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — known as SNAP or simply food stamps — from using the benefit to buy junk food such as energy drinks, cookies and candy.
The bill, proposed by state Rep. Briscoe Cain, would also ban carbonated drinks, potato or corn chips and any artificially sweetened beverages, including soda and fruit juices.
The proposal defines energy drink as those that are specifically designed to “provide metabolic stimulation or an increase to the consumer's mental or physical energy.” Coffee and other coffee-based beverages are not included in that category.
SNAP benefits 3.9 million Texans, or 14% of the state’s population, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Nationwide, it reaches more than 40 million people.
One of the reasons Cain said he proposed the bill is the number of Texans, and Americans, who have diabetes. A 2017 report estimated that more than 30 million Americans live with diabetes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
If passed, the legislation will take effect Sept. 1.
Texas bill would ban food stamp recipients from buying cookies, candy, energy drinks and other junk food
I pay 7 for 4 pounds. You might need to go back up there with that thang and get what's yours. 
