Another in an ongoing series:
Dear Senator McCormick;
I am a constituent of yours and I'd like to ask you a few questions.
Last week, I asked you about the optics of seeing the administration block SNAP benefits the same weekend as President Trump throwing a lavish Great Gatsby at Mar-a-Lago.
The Independent reported yesterday:
President Donald Trump has attended his second extravagant party at Mar-a-Lago in a week as tens of thousands of federal employees go without pay, leaving some of them, and many more Americans, to turn to food banks amid the longest government shutdown in history.
Images of the president were shared by guests on social media Friday at the lavish event which featured a three-course menu of beef filet, truffle dauphinoise, pan-seared scallops and a trio of desserts including “Trump chocolate cake.”
As a result of his decision regarding SNAP, some states (including Pennsylvania) instituted some emergency plans to get SNAP benefits to the people who need to eat.
As you know this also happened this weekend:
The Trump administration told states that they must “immediately undo” any actions to provide full food stamp benefits to low-income families, in a move that added to the chaos and uncertainty surrounding the nation’s largest anti-hunger program during the government shutdown.
The Agriculture Department issued the command late Saturday in a memo, which The New York Times later viewed. That guidance threatened to impose harsh financial penalties on states that did not “comply” quickly with the new federal orders.
So I ask you (again) about the optics of all this. Millions of Pennsylvanians have lost SNAP benefits due to this administration. PA Governor Shapiro tries to help out and is commanded by the federal government to undo any such actions. The same weekend guests at a lavish party at Trump's estate in Florida can enjoy as much "Trump chocolate cake" as they want.
Are you OK with this? Of so, please explain how it's good for Pennsylvania. And while you're at it, let us know how you're selling it to your constituents who will be going hungry this week.
I'll await your answer.
As always, I'll post here whatever answer I get from you or your office, Senator.
