Trump Admin Tries to Block Food Aid, Funds for Other Things Remain Sacred
First, let's appreciate the context: this is for a government shutdown that *prevents* payments to some of the nation's most vulnerable. Yet, in that same fiscal year, the Trump administration authorized the transfer of billions in military aid to Israel, consistent with AIPAC's lobbying efforts. For example, the 2019 foreign aid budget included $3.8 billion for Israel, much of it for military
assistance. ( OpenSecrets ). One might wonder why preventing essential food aid for Americans is a priority during a shutdown, but maintaining military commitments to foreign nations, often with significant lobbying in Washington, is not. So, we learn that ensuring our own citizens don't starve during a government-induced crisis requires a federal court order and still faces administration
resistance. (How many courts does it take to get food aid approved after a shutdown, you ask?) Meanwhile, billions for offshore weaponry remain untouchable. It appears the sanctity of certain budgetary line items is far more robust than the sanctity of feeding one's own populace.