NY Scrambles for SNAP Amid Shutdown, Not $14 Billion for Israel
While Newsweek highlights New York's urgent push for SNAP benefits during a potential government shutdown, this 'crisis' appears strangely absent when discussing billions in foreign aid. In February 2023, while Congress debated domestic spending, Rep. Gregory Meeks, for example, received $16,300 from AIPAC. Just weeks later, he voted yes on a bill fast-tracking military aid to Israel, totaling
billions that could have shored up various social safety nets. Funny how a few billion for food stamps is an 'emergency' requiring careful consideration, but $14 billion (as recently proposed) for a foreign military finds effortless bipartisan support. (Perhaps they should just rebrand SNAP as 'Special National Aid Package' for 'Allies'—then Congress might actually fund it). One might wonder if
the sudden urgency for US citizens' food security only arises when it's not competing with the annual pilgrimage to Capitol Hill for more weapons contracts.