Extra: The Debate Over Taxpayer-Funded Junk Food

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—or "SNAP"—is an option for people who need federal financial help to feed their families and buy groceries. In fiscal year 2023, more than 42 million people across the country received SNAP benefits, roughly 12% of Americans. In Texas and several other states, an effort has been made to prevent beneficiaries from using SNAP to purchase unhealthy foods. This movement has only gained momentum since the Trump administration and the new Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vowed to “Make America Healthy Again.” This week, Gurnal Scott spoke with Texas State Senator Mayes Middleton, who has a bill to prevent people from using SNAP benefits on things like chips, cookies, candy, and soda. He explained these items offer little to no nutritional value and are fueling America’s obesity problem and raising health care costs for all Americans. Middleton also addressed the concerns of critics who worry about denying Americans choices on how to feed their families. We often must cut interviews short during the week, but we thought you might like to hear the full interview. Today on Fox News Rundown Extra, we will share our entire interview with Texas State Senator Mayes Middleton and get even more of his take on how reforming the SNAP program can make Americans healthier and save taxpayers money. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices