Dear editor:
SNAP (food stamps) CRACKLE (succession of slight cracking sounds) POP (destruction)
Two federal judges ruled that the president must release contingency funds to continue SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) food stamp benefits.
On November 4, the president ignored the rulings of these judges and posted on Truth Social that he is not releasing the SNAP funds until the government is reopened.
Within 5 hours messages were coming from “the White House” indicating that half of the SNAP funds will be released.
Why should the president, or anyone, disobey court rulings? Ignore the rule of law? Obeying the law sustains our Democracy.
Yet, the problem he states, and our reps all agree is that the Democrats have caused the problem with SNAP.
In fact, this is ONLY the beginning of the food stamp crisis. The “Big Beautiful Bill,” which Hageman, Barrasso, and Lummis all voted for and was signed by the president on July 4 “shifted SNAP policies in ways that will directly affect state budgets and operations….” NCSL, 10/22/25.
42 million Americans, 26,000 in Wyoming rely on food stamps. The “Big Beautiful Bill” included a cut of $178 billion, largest in history, from the SNAP program through 2034.
The State’s share of administrative costs rose to 75% from 50% (State of Wyoming costs increasing from $9 million in 2025 to $13 million in 2026).
States will be required to contribute to SNAP benefits if they have a payment error rate above 6%.
Wyoming is below that, so that does not affect us. (NCSL). Helpfully, Gov. Gordon issued a proclamation to distribute $10 million for Wyoming — good job.
Could keeping our country hungry by denying food stamps get even worse? Yes.
As a child, my primary nutrition was school lunches. I took enough food from other children’s plates so I would have dinner.
In my house of 10 people (mom, dad, grandma, 7 kids), we had limited money and little food, mostly chili and “loaf.”
Now, under the “Big Beautiful Bill” children who lose their SNAP benefits can lose their “automatic eligibility for free school lunches and Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer” which provides families with $120 per child for groceries. (CSPI).
Yes, the amount of family GROCERIES for children will be reduced and can be eliminated. The number of children without food will increase, leaving poor kids, like I was, hungry.
Just a note, the “Big Beautiful Bill” around 900 pages, doubtfully read by anyone in Congress or the Senate, has destructive portions that hurt Wyoming in many ways.
Review the billions of dollars to different projects, and see what those provisions do to Wyoming.
My only question to our representative and senators, is “why have you not challenged or questioned portions of the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ that will injure Wyoming?”
Lisa Kinney, Laramie
