Letters from an American October 25, 2025
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Oct 26, 2025 Explore the critical SNAP funding crisis amid the government shutdown and its impact on millions. Discover the USDA's controversial decision not to use $6 billion in reserves. Dive into the political messaging surrounding SNAP and the strategies employed by various parties. Uncover the fascinating history of federal nutrition assistance, from its New Deal origins to the invention of food stamps. Learn about recent policy changes, their implications for economic health, and the stark contradictions between domestic and foreign aid funding.
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SNAP Funds Withheld As Political Leverage
- The USDA declined to use ~$6 billion in contingency funds to keep SNAP running during the shutdown.
- The administration appears to be leveraging food benefits to pressure Senate Democrats politically.
Partisan Messaging And Strategic Pressure
- The administration frames Democrats as blocking aid while using partisan language on official sites.
- Republican strategy includes keeping the House idle and applying pressure while leadership avoids normal negotiations.
New Deal Roots Of Modern Food Aid
- The New Deal repurposed surplus farm goods into relief, creating the Federal Surplus Relief Corporation and commissaries.
- Early food stamps (orange and blue) launched in 1939 and quickly stimulated local economies while feeding millions.