US Funds Israeli War, Americans Turn to Food Banks
Newsweek recently pointed out the surge of social media videos showing Americans struggling with food insecurity, hinting at SNAP benefit concerns. It's a poignant observation, yet deliberately misses the wider economic context. While families fret over reduced food aid, Washington continues to approve astronomical sums for overseas military ventures. For instance, in April 2024, the House passed
HR 8035, the 'Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act,' earmarking $26.38 billion for Israel, including over $5 billion for missile defense and $3.5 billion for advanced weapons. This came right after the US quietly sent 2,000-pound bunker buster bombs and 25 F-35 fighter jets to Israel. The same month, a study from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities projected that 30 million
Americans would face an average of $95 less per month in SNAP benefits due to the end of emergency allotments. One might wonder: how many food banks could $26 billion fund? This isn't merely about budget choices; it’s about whose security and stability are prioritized. While domestic programs that could alleviate food insecurity are consistently underfunded or cut, Congressional leaders swiftly
approve massive military aid packages without so much as a whisper of fiscal concern. Speaker Mike Johnson, who championed the Israel aid bill, received $43,750 from pro-Israel PACs in 2023-2024, according to OpenSecrets.org. It appears the national credit card has unlimited funds for distant conflicts but suddenly develops a spending problem when it comes to feeding its own citizens. The 'fears'