Clay Higgins Sparks Outrage Over SNAP Remarks

SNAP benefits for roughly 41.7–42 million Americans are at risk of lapsing on Nov. 1 amid the government shutdown. Rep. Clay Higgins provoked outrage after posting on X that households receiving an average of $4,200 a year in SNAP “should never again receive SNAP” if they don’t have a month’s groceries stocked, adding “stop smoking crack,” and including a photo of a fully stocked pantry. Critics from both parties — including prosecutors, journalists, food policy experts and advocacy groups — said the post fed harmful stereotypes, showed ignorance of grocery costs and ignored restrictions on eligible purchases. Observers noted $4,200 equals roughly $350 per month (about $80 per week), which many families, especially those with children, elderly or disabled members, cannot use to stockpile a month’s food. Governors, lawmakers and 25 state attorneys general have pursued legal and legislative steps to keep benefits flowing, and the incident intensified scrutiny of Republican strategy during the shutdown over using safety-net programs as leverage.