CAPITOL ROUNDUP: State officials highlight vital role SNAP plays in supporting the economy
Jun. 22—WILKES-BARRE — Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Val Arkoosh and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined leadership from Feeding Pennsylvania and the Central PA Food Bank this week to discuss the importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
The discussions come amid federal proposals that would take food assistance away from at least 140,000 Pennsylvanians and significantly alter the program, costing the state over $1 billion more annually and jeopardizing the program's sustainability.
Governor Josh Shapiro has made clear that Pennsylvania cannot backfill these costs.
While SNAP helps nearly two million people in all communities of our Commonwealth purchase food for themselves and their families, SNAP participation rates are higher in rural areas than in urban or suburban areas.
Children and older adults represent more than half of Pennsylvanians helped by the SNAP program, and the program also allows lower-income working families and people with disabilities to keep food on their tables.
"SNAP helps people meet one of our most essential needs — allowing them to participate fully in work and school and live healthier," said Arkoosh. "Should these proposals to change SNAP become law, vulnerable children, people with disabilities, older Pennsylvanians, and many others would see their access to food at risk and will further destabilize our agricultural economy and workforce during a tumultuous time."
Every month, SNAP brings more than $365 million in cash benefits that can only be used on food — supporting local businesses, food producers, and Pennsylvania's agricultural economy.
"Farmers receive nearly a quarter of every dollar Pennsylvania families spend on groceries, whether those dollars are from SNAP or any other source," Redding said. "Most of Pennsylvania's 48,800 farms are family-run. Losing SNAP dollars would hit Pennsylvania's farm families as well as the families of the 12,000 people working in the grocery industry whose jobs are directly supported by monthly SNAP spending."
Congress is currently in the midst of a budget reconciliation process that is seeking to make major cuts to federal programs — primarily Medicaid and SNAP.
The bill still needs to pass the U.S. Senate and be signed into law, so there are currently no changes to SNAP.
Rep. Meuser co-sponsors SAFE Cities Act
U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, co-sponsored H.R. 3894 — the Stop Anarchists From Endangering (SAFE) Cities Act — this week. The legislation would ensure federal resources support jurisdictions that maintain law and order and take reasonable steps to protect their residents.
The SAFE Cities Act directs the Attorney General to identify "anarchist jurisdictions" — defined as state or local governments that prevent law enforcement from restoring order, reject federal assistance, defund or disempower their police, or otherwise fail to respond to widespread violence and property destruction.
Jurisdictions identified as such would face restrictions on certain categories of federal funding. The legislation codifies a Presidential Memorandum issued by President Trump during his first term to restrict federal funding from jurisdictions that tolerate lawlessness and undermine public safety.
Meuser said this legislation was introduced following recent incidents in Los Angeles where protests against federal immigration enforcement escalated into violent riots.
Demonstrators attacked federal law enforcement officers with rocks and Molotov cocktails, vandalized federal buildings, set vehicles ablaze and attempted to obstruct immigration enforcement efforts.
To restore order in Los Angeles, Meuser said President Trump authorized the deployment of National Guard troops. Despite these efforts to restore public safety, California Gov. Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit to end the federalization of the National Guard.
"The SAFE Cities Act is a crucial piece of legislation that puts the safety and security of our communities first," said Rep. Meuser. "We cannot allow public safety to take a backseat to political ideology. This bill ensures federal support goes to communities that protect their citizens, support their law enforcement, and take appropriate action in the face of violence. Our constituents — and the law enforcement officers who serve them — deserve no less."
This bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.
Bipartisan resolution condemns antisemitic violence
U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pittsburgh, and U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Braddock, introduced S. Res. 288 this week. The bipartisan resolution condemns the horrific rise in violent antisemitic attacks across the country.
Citing the attempted murder in Boulder, Colorado, the arson attack on the Pennsylvania Governor's residence, and the tragic murder of two Israeli embassy staffers outside the Capitol Jewish Museum, Sen. McCormick and Sen. Fetterman, along with 34 of their colleagues, remain unified in denouncing anti-Jewish hatred.
"Antisemitism has no place is America," said McCormick. "Since October 7, 2023, the Jewish community has faced unprecedented and persistent antisemitic hate and violence. This hatred cannot stand. Living in Squirrel Hill, right around the corner from the site of the devastating Tree of Life Synagogue attack in 2018, really brings this issue home for me. Protecting my friends and neighbors, and all Jewish people across the country, must be a national priority."
"Amid a despicable rise in antisemitism, we are starkly reminded that silence is complicity," said Fetterman. "These appalling attacks on our Jewish communities are not isolated events. After 11 lives were stolen at the Tree of Life massacre in 2018, I've felt an even stronger moral obligation to confront antisemitism wherever it appears and stand united against hate."
U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) introduced the House of Representatives companion to this resolution.
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Why Trump's Decision To Bomb Iran Is A Personal Blow For Keir Starmer
Keir Starmer's response to Donald Trump's decision to bomb Iran was predictably diplomatic. 'Iran's nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security,' the prime minister said. 'Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat. 'The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis.' But there is no doubt that the US air strikes are a personal blow, if not a humiliation, for the prime minister. Just three days ago, with speculation rife that Trump was preparing to give the green light to military action, a spokesman for Starmer urged the president to step back from the brink. 'Clearly de-escalation is the priority, and we would not want to see anything that ramps up the situation. 'That is our priority. We have been clear on that for a number of days now. De-escalation remains this government's priority.' Clearly, those pleas from No.10 fell on deaf ears. The US strikes also call into question Starmer's judgment, given the assessment he made of the crisis in the Middle East while at the G7 summit in Canada. Trump stunned the world by leaving the gathering a day early, triggering fresh speculation that American involvement in Israel's bombardment of Iran was imminent. The president also demanded Iran's 'unconditional surrender' and urged Tehran's 10 million residents to evacuate the city. But despite all of the evidence to the contrary, Starmer insisted that military action was not on Trump's mind. 'I don't think you should read into that that an American attack is imminent,' the PM told Sky News political editor Beth Rigby. That analysis has proved to be spectacularly wrong. As Starmer makes a forlorn call for 'stability' in the region, it is hard to escape the conclusion that the UK government is a helpless bystander to the rapidly unfolding crisis. 'Stability Is A Priority': Keir Starmer Responds To Trump's Strikes On Iran Donald Trump Confirms US Launched Strikes Against Iran In Major Escalation Of Middle Eastern War Iran-Israel Conflict: How The UK Could Become A 'Target' If It Helps America With The War
Wall Street Journal
40 minutes ago
- Wall Street Journal
Trump Hasn't Briefed ‘Gang of Eight' on Iran
Trump said he hadn't yet notified the so-called Gang of Eight senators and members of the House about his plans on Iran. 'We'll be talking to them. It's not necessary,' he told reporters on Air Force One. The Gang of Eight includes the majority and minority leaders of both parties and the chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate intelligence committees. U.S. law requires the president to keep the committees informed of U.S. intelligence activities, including significant anticipated actions, but reporting can be limited under extraordinary circumstances
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
It's Official: Social Security Retired-Worker Benefits Have Made History
Social Security provides a financial foundation for aging workers who can no longer do so for themselves. Based on the latest statistical snapshot from the Social Security Administration, the average monthly payout for retired workers hit a historic level in May. On the other hand, the purchasing power of a Social Security dollar simply isn't what it used to be. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › In August 1935, the Social Security Act was signed into law, with the first retired-worker benefit being issued in January 1940. For decades, this prized social program has been providing a financial foundation for those who could no longer do so for themselves. Based on a recently updated analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Social Security helped pull more than 22 million people above the federal poverty line in 2023, 16.3 million of whom were aged 65 and above. It's also reduced the federal poverty rate for seniors to 10.1% from an estimated 37.3% if the program didn't exist. Separately, national pollster Gallup has been surveying retirees in each of the last 23 years to gauge how important their Social Security income is to making ends meet. Anywhere from 80% to 90% of respondents noted it was necessary, in some capacity, to cover their expenses. In May, the average Social Security check for retired-worker beneficiaries, who comprise the bulk of recipients, made history by surpassing a psychological milestone. Every month, the Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes what's known as its "Monthly Statistical Snapshot," which provides a detailed rundown of where every dollar in traditional Social Security outlays ends up. "Traditional" benefits refer to payouts for retired workers, survivor beneficiaries, and workers with disabilities. For example, the June statistical snapshot from the SSA shows that 69.628 million people received a benefit in May 2025. This includes more than 52.8 million retired workers, close to 5.9 million survivors of deceased workers, and 7.1 million workers with disabilities. You'll note these figures don't add up to 69.628 million, with the difference made up by spouses, children, widow(er)s, and parents of current/former beneficiaries who also qualify for a monthly check under select circumstances. The SSA's detailed monthly breakdown also allows anyone to see how much in benefits was outlaid, which includes the average benefit paid for each specific category. As a whole, $129.351 billion was dispersed in May to the aforementioned 69.628 million beneficiaries, which worked out to an average payout, across all beneficiary types, of $1,857.75. However, the highest average check of all beneficiary categories went to retired workers. For the first time in the program's 90-year history, the average Social Security retired-worker benefit crested $2,000 -- officially, it came in at $2,002.39. This average payout for retired workers has risen on a month-to-month basis for as long as the SSA has been publishing its Monthly Statistical Snapshot. This is because of the dynamic of new workers filing for and receiving initial benefits, as well as some beneficiaries dying. With wages and salaries nominally increasing over time, as well as near-annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) boosting how much Social Security beneficiaries receive, it was simply a matter of time before the average Social Security retired-worker benefit hit the psychologically important $2,000 level. Unfortunately, this nominal achievement isn't reason to cheer. Despite the average retired worker now receiving a payout that begins with a "2" for the first time in the program's storied history, studies have shown that Social Security payouts have done a very poor job of keeping up with the inflationary pressures retirees have contended with since this century began. Prior to 1975, there was no rhyme or reason to how Social Security COLAs were determined or passed along. Following an entire decade without a COLA in the 1940s, Congress passed a whopping increase to benefits of 77% in 1950. Beginning in 1975, the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) was "adopted" as Social Security's measure of inflation, which would allow for annual adjustments, if necessary. The CPI-W has in excess of 200 spending categories, all of which have their own unique percentage weightings. These weightings are what allow the CPI-W to be chiseled down to a single number at the end of each month, which makes for easy year-over-year comparisons to determine if this broad basket of goods and services is rising (indicating inflation) or declining (indicating deflation). Though you'd think a broad-basket inflationary index would be perfect for mirroring the prevailing rate of inflation, this simply hasn't been the case. The inherent flaw with the CPI-W can be easily seen in the latter half of its full name: "urban wage earners and clerical workers." This inflationary index is tracking the spending habits of mostly working-age Americans who aren't currently receiving a Social Security benefit. In comparison, more than 85% of Social Security beneficiaries are 62 and older. Working-age Americans and retirees budget their money differently. Whereas the former are likely to spend a higher percentage of their monthly budget on education and apparel expenses, seniors dole out more for shelter and medical care services than the typical working-age American. Unfortunately, the CPI-W doesn't account for the added importance of shelter and medical care service expenses, thus leading to a fairly persistent decline in the purchasing power of a Social Security dollar over time. According to a July 2024 study from nonpartisan senior advocacy group The Senior Citizens League, the buying power of a Social Security dollar has dropped by 20% since 2010. As long as the CPI-W remains Social Security's inflationary tether, even a record-breaking monthly benefit for retired workers is unlikely to keep pace with the pricing pressures beneficiaries are contending with. If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. One easy trick could pay you as much as $23,760 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Join Stock Advisor to learn more about these Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. It's Official: Social Security Retired-Worker Benefits Have Made History was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
