Why is it when the government goes to the Supreme Court it gets what’s called an “administrative stay” and when ordinary citizens go to the Court, it gets a date for a hearing? Late Friday, yesterday, in a terse statement, the Court permitted the new regime to stop full payments for SNAP while the appellate court has more time to mull over arguments in this matter.
While the courts “consider” the arguments, people go hungry. Some states have stepped up and are covering SNAP in full. Ten states moved to fund SNAP benefits in full, including New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and 6 others are using their own emergency funds for payment. The list does not include states from the South. Why am I not surprised?
Claiming that this stay does not rule on the new regime’s claim that it is not legally required to pay out funds doesn’t help those who now must make really hard choices of where their limited funds will go. How much did that marble bathroom cost? More than what any of us spend on food for the year, for sure.
Prayer for the Day
Called to feed the hungry, we fail in our responses, O God,
For we want you with moderation and not with your full fire;
Move us from our tepid lives to take on the injustices we see,
And rouse us, O Holy One, so that the hungry are fed.
Refine our intent and give us resolve so that we act
As we strive to live the Word shared with us,
In the name of the One who calls us to justice,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
It defies belief” that the administration would focus on that potential funding disruption in the future “over the very real and immediate risk of children being deprived of their food assistance today
U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell in his decision, now stayed
If the misery of the poor be caused not by the laws of nature, but by our institutions, great is our sin.”
Charles Darwin, from Voyage of the Beagle
Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of anger will fail.
For those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor.
Proverbs 22: 8-9