Millions of Americans reply on SNAP benefits to help them get enough food to survive. But due to the government shutdown, SNAP benefits have stopped. We have a full on food crisis. (to donate or get help, see - Food Insecurities Resources)
The response of Clay Higgins, Republican Representative of Louisiana's 3rd District, who will never have to worry about missing a meal is incredibly tone deaf and callous.
His post on X (just hours before SNAP benefits were set to run out) -
$4200 per household is $80 a week. For a household. Let that sink in. What do you spend at the grocery store each week? Also, I wonder how often Higgins does the shopping for his family. I wonder how well he'd eat if he had to rely on the food in his pantry for a month.
Also, the "stop smoking crack" remark is a jab meant to reinforce stereotypical ideas that anyone receiving SNAP is just a freeloader.
Challenging misconceptions about work and assistance: (Source: Legal United States)
- There is a persistent narrative that most SNAP recipients are unemployed or dependent on government aid without contributing to the workforce. However, data consistently show that the majority of work-capable adults on SNAP are employed for at least part of the year. This reality challenges the stereotype of non-working recipients and reframes the program as one that supports working families struggling to make ends meet.
- Recognizing SNAP as a supplement, not a substitute:
- SNAP often functions as a critical supplement for households that already have income from employment. Many working families rely on SNAP to bridge the gap between low wages and the rising cost of essentials like housing, healthcare, and transportation. Rather than discouraging work, the program helps stabilize food security for those who are already part of the labor force but whose earnings fall short of basic living expenses.
- Reflecting the realities of the modern labor market:
- Many SNAP recipients are employed in sectors characterized by low pay, unpredictable hours, or seasonal work—such as retail, hospitality, food service, and home care. These jobs often lack benefits, consistent schedules, and opportunities for advancement, making financial instability a persistent issue even for those working full-time. SNAP provides a safety net that allows families to manage through periods of reduced income, job loss, or fluctuating work hours without facing hunger.
- Informing fair and effective policy design:
- Policymakers debating stricter work requirements or eligibility rules should recognize that most SNAP households already include workers. The issue is not a lack of willingness to work but rather the unstable and low-paying nature of many available jobs. Effective policy should focus on improving access to stable employment, fair wages, and childcare—factors that directly influence both work participation and food security.
From The Jacobin -
...70 percent of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid users in their study were full-time workers, with 90 percent of them in the private sector. A significant number of them worked in restaurants and department or grocery stores.
Surprise, surprise — Walmart ranked among the top four employers whose workers relied on Medicaid and SNAP. As Eli Rosenberg broke down in the Washington Post, in nine states alone, Walmart had 14,500 employees on SNAP and 10,350 on Medicaid. Other top offenders included McDonalds, Dollar Tree, Amazon, Burger King, and FedEx.
Read More
House Republican Tells Food Stamp Recipients to “Stop Smoking Crack” ~ The New Republic ~ GOP Representative Clay Higgins—who, like most congressmen, receives up to $79 per day in meal comps—thinks SNAP recipients should shut up, stop complaining, and stop smoking crack.
Who to Contact
Your opinion only matters if you let someone know! The more people who speak up, the more meaningful our opinions will be.
You can contact Clay Higgins at any of the following:
Washington, DC Office
572 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2031
Lafayette District Office
Chase Building
600 Jefferson Street, Suite 808
Lafayette, LA 70501
Phone: (337) 703-6105
Lake Charles District Office
1625 Ryan Street, Suite C
Lake Charles, LA 70601
Phone: (337) 656-2833
MORE CONTACTS
If you want to write or call someone else about this issue, check the CONTACTS PAGE. Besides frequent contacts, this page also has links to help you easily find others - senators, and representatives, of course. There's also a link to a list of committees and their members, so you can target lawmakers who would have the most influence on an issue.
ALSO, check out the TIPS AND RESOURCES page for links to resources that I truly believe you will find helpful.