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Like it or not, Maryland is overwhelmingly a blue state that sends Democrats to Washington and Annapolis. One exception is the Eastern Shore state, where voters consistently send a self-proclaimed conservative, Rep. Andy Harris, to Congress. As Maryland's only Republican voice in our nation's capital, Congresswoman Harris' presence is critical, especially in rejecting President Biden's progressive policies that increasingly infringe on individual freedoms.
We are fortunate to have a voice against big government regulations, tax hikes, and big spending bills that harm working families now and in the future. He is also fighting to reduce the bureaucracy that prevents the immediate rebuilding of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a top priority for Baltimore City and the entire state.
Given Harris' record of strong support for limited government, it's surprising that she champions efforts to limit consumer choice and increase federal influence in grocery stores. It is.
The congressman is reportedly working to include a provision in the upcoming Agriculture and FDA spending bill that would allow states to regulate what people on Temporary Food Assistance can provide to their families. These so-called pilot programs will create a government-written definition of “nutritious” for what families participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program can put in their grocery carts.
If these pilots are enacted, low-income Americans who unfortunately need help supporting their families will be able to use their SNAP benefits to purchase everyday items such as snacks, soda, and other household items, at least initially. Purchases will be restricted.
Taken at face value, the bill, which would allow pilots in five states, appears well-intentioned. Harris said it promotes “healthier” lifestyles for SNAP recipients. But it is not the government's role to mandate what people can eat and drink. Governments can provide advice, but in our society it is up to individuals to decide what is best for themselves and their families.
Allowing the government to limit options at grocery stores not only violates SNAP people's right to choose what to feed their families. It could also encourage lawmakers who want to limit everyone's choices in the name of healthy eating. Instead of treating only SNAP recipients like second-class citizens because they need government assistance, bureaucrats could propose applying anti-choice diets to all Americans.
Harris' idea has been debated several times in Congress amid opposition from anti-hunger groups who say it is wrong to change programs that are effective at alleviating child hunger. The latest proposal would limit SNAP purchases to only “nutritious” items and require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to designate about 600,000 items as either good or bad foods.
First of all, what does “nutritious” mean? Well, actually I don't know. Products ranging from sports drinks to peanut butter and even whole milk will soon come under scrutiny. You'll quickly find foods specific to different cultures. Processed foods may also be targeted.
Anything that bureaucrats find too sweet, too salty, or too fatty. How is bacon used in birthday cakes, canned soups, orange juice, etc.?
This requirement to create a government-sanctioned shopping list would dramatically increase the size of government. It will put an extreme burden on small and local businesses and force them to say “no” to families who want their kids to have PB&J for lunch.
Fortunately, organizations representing businesses from convenience stores to grocery stores are leading the charge on this issue. The National Grocers Association, along with 2,472 signatories and trade groups, recently sent a letter to Congressional leadership urging them to oppose any pilot program.
As of 2021, more than 500,000 Maryland residents are enrolled in the SNAP program, a significant increase from pre-pandemic years as the nation faces economic uncertainty. And almost 50 percent of those residents put food on the table for their families. Most of these recipients live in minority communities, particularly in Baltimore City and Prince George's County, and rely on these benefits to keep food on the table.
The cost of the SNAP program is of course a concern. SNAP's budget is estimated at approximately $1 trillion over a 10-year period. But instead of grand government edicts determining which foods are considered “good” and “bad,” Congress should focus on helping Americans wean themselves from the program.
This can be achieved by establishing strong work requirements that help free people from state support. Pro-growth policies that create jobs and raise wages above qualification levels will also reduce program costs and help families become self-sufficient. That is true free market reform based on conservative principles.
SNAP limits may be well-intentioned, but they end up creating more problems than solutions for small businesses, government officials, and, of course, consumers. Harris needs to focus on the issues that are top of mind for Marylanders, like controlling inflation and addressing all the issues surrounding the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Maryland has a conservative champion in Rep. Andy Harris. However, his position on SNAP is against individual freedom and in favor of nannies.
