Republican Slammed After Telling SNAP Recipients to ‘Cease Smoking Crack’

[ad_1] Republican U.S. Consultant Clay Higgins of Louisiana is dealing with backlash on-line after saying that Supplemental Vitamin Help Program (SNAP) recipients who haven't got one month of groceries stockpiled ought to by no means obtain the profit once more and added, "as a result of wow, quit smoking crack."

Newsweek reached out to Higgins' workplace through telephone Thursday evening for remark after hours and left a message.

Why It Issues The destiny of SNAP has develop into a important flashpoint within the ongoing federal authorities shutdown, with almost 42 million People dealing with potential interruptions in meals help.

The advantages are anticipated to cease being issued on November 1, which has prompted Democratic Governor of New York Kathy Hochul to declare a state of emergency and requires GOP Home Speaker Mike Johnson to open Congress to vote on a invoice to fund this system.

The controversy sheds gentle on broader coverage and cultural battles over security internet packages, the federal price range and using political leverage in instances of disaster.

What To Know Taking to X on Thursday, Higgins, 64, mentioned: "There are 22 million American households receiving SNAP advantages for groceries, at $4200 per 12 months on common. Attempt to get your head wrapped round what number of pantries you possibly can inventory with $4200 {dollars} in correctly shopped groceries. Any American who has been receiving $4200 {dollars} per 12 months of free groceries and does NOT have at the very least 1 month of groceries stocked ought to by no means once more obtain SNAP, as a result of wow, quit smoking crack."

The publish sparked criticism on-line as Higgins was accused of taking part in into stereotypes and questioned about how a lot he spends on groceries.

Sarah Stogner, Republican district legal professional for Texas' 143rd Judicial District, reacted to Higgins on X Thursday, saying, "'Quit smoking crack.' Approach to play to outdated stereotypes. How a lot do you spend yearly on meals? I guess you don't have any thought. When was the final time you personally did the grocery searching for your loved ones?"

Loading twitter content material...

What Folks Are Saying Miranda Yaver, assistant professor of well being coverage and administration on the College of Pittsburgh, on Bluesky Thursday in response to Higgins' feedback: "Republicans: Cease consuming processed meals. Make wholesome decisions: eat extra recent meals. Additionally Republicans: You are irresponsible if you do not have a month's meals provide readily available to dwell on after we cannot hold the federal government open. Extra context: Avg. SNAP profit is $6.20/individual/day. Not sufficient to dwell."

Creator Kristine Rudolph, additionally on Bluesky Thursday: "Inform us you don’t do the grocery purchasing in your home with out telling us you don’t do the grocery purchasing in your home."

Bruno Pereira, New Jersey Libertarian Social gathering chair, on X Thursday: "Throughout COVID I used to be spending $200 per week for child system. That is over $10,000 a 12 months. So what the hell are you speaking about $4200, as whether it is alot? When was the final time you went grocery purchasing? Fully and completely out of contact. Try to be ashamed of your self."

Tim Lambert, editor-in-chief of the Pennsylvania Capital-Star, on Bluesky Thursday: "That's about $80 per week."

What Occurs Subsequent Amid mounting criticism, the way forward for SNAP stays unsure as authorized and political battles proceed. The Hold SNAP Funded Act, launched by Republican U.S. Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, proposes Congress applicable funds to proceed advantages throughout shutdowns.

<img id="10969808" alt="" caption="US Representative Clay Higgins speaks as Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testifies at a Fiscal Year 2025 budget hearing at Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on April 16, 2024. (Photo by Julia Nikhinson / AFP) (Photo by JULIA NIKHINSON/AFP via Getty Images)" captionoverride="Republican U.S. Representative Clay Higgins is pictured at a budget hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on April 16, 2024. (Photo by JULIA NIKHINSON/AFP via Getty Images)" credit="" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="6410" height="4275" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" src="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1536px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, 100vw" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GettyImages-2147857942.jpg?w=640&quality=75&webp=1 640w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GettyImages-2147857942.jpg?w=750&quality=75&webp=1 750w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GettyImages-2147857942.jpg?w=1000&quality=75&webp=1 1000w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GettyImages-2147857942.jpg?w=1200&quality=75&webp=1 1200w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GettyImages-2147857942.jpg?w=1360&quality=75&webp=1 1360w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GettyImages-2147857942.jpg?w=1600&quality=75&webp=1 1600w" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GettyImages-2147857942.jpg?w=1600&quality=75&webp=1"/> [ad_2] Source link