Republicans divided over banning purchase of soft drinks with food stamps

Republicans are divided over whether there should be a ban on using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, to buy soft drinks.

GOP voters and politicians alike appear split over allowing taxpayer money to be used to buy sugary drinks, as some Congress members are looking to prohibit such purchases. 

The debate follows the election of President Donald Trump and his promise to work with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to “Make America Healthy Again,” including reforming food stamps. (After Trump won reelection he appointed Kennedy to run his administration's Department of Health and Human Services.)

SNAP benefits can be used for “any food or food product intended for human consumption,” except alcohol, tobacco and hot foods. However, there has been debate over the past 20 years regarding whether the money should be used on soda, desserts like cake and ice cream, chips, bottled water and steak.

Public Opinion Strategies conducted a poll on behalf of the American Beverage Association (ABA) of 808 adults, asking, “Thinking about the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program also known as food stamps … Do you think people receiving food stamps should or should not be allowed to purchase soft drinks and sugar-sweetened beverages with food stamps?”

The survey found that 64% of Americans believe food stamps should be allowed to purchase the drinks, including 58% of those who voted for Trump in 2024. Also, 58% of Trump supporters agreed, in addition to 64% of adults who have a favorable view of Make America Healthy Again.

A total of 59% of Republicans and 74% of Democrats said that people should be allowed to use food stamps to purchase soft drinks and sugar-sweetened beverages.

The group that was the least favorable toward food stamps being used to purchase these beverages was MAGA supporters, with 57% believing the money should be allowed to be used for sugary drinks, compared to 43% who disagreed. The most favorable group regarding food stamps being allowed to be used to buy soft drinks was black adults, who made up 13% of the survey respondents, with 85% believing that food stamps should be allowed to be used for sugary drinks, compared to 15% who didn’t.

The poll was conducted December 12-17, 2024, and has a credibility interval of +/- 3.93%.

"Working-class families and individuals across America rose up to vote for President Trump on the promise of a new era that would lift them up, not leave them behind again," ABA said in a statement last month. "Proponents of SNAP restrictions would betray these voters and that promise. To be clear, President Trump is not among those proposing SNAP restrictions."

Republican lawmakers appear to largely favor banning the use of food stamps to purchase soft drinks.

In January, Oklahoma Rep. Josh Brecheen reintroduced the Healthy SNAP Act, which “would exclude soft drinks, candy, ice cream, and prepared desserts from being purchased with SNAP benefits,” according to the congressman’s website.

“The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture to ensure that eligible food promotes the health of SNAP recipients and reflects nutrition science, public health concerns, and cultural eating patterns.”

The House bill currently has 10 cosponsors.

“President Trump has been given a mandate by the majority of Americans to Make America Healthy Again, and those in his administration, like RFK Jr. and Senator Marco Rubio, have directly advocated for eliminating junk food purchases with SNAP,” Brecheen said in a statement in January, prior to the confirmations of Kennedy and Rubio to secretaries of the Department of Health and Human Services and the State Department, respectively.

“This legislation advances President Trump’s agenda by ensuring that SNAP is used for nutritious foods, rather than junk foods and soda that contribute to long-term health issues,” he continued. “If someone wants to buy junk food on their own dime, that’s up to them. But what we’re saying is, don’t ask the taxpayer to pay for it and then also expect the taxpayer to pick up the tab for the resulting health consequences.”

Brecheen also mentioned that more than 42 million Americans receive food stamps, and over 20% of federal SNAP spending is used to buy junk food and sugary drinks. He added that about 75% of adults and 33% of children in the U.S. are overweight or obese.

“In addition to the obvious health improvements, this bill will also result in significant savings in taxpayer funds for such programs as Medicaid, where approximately 1 in 4 Americans (79 million total) are currently enrolled,” he added. “Federally funded healthcare for obesity and obesity-related diseases has reached $400 billion per year, according to the Senate Joint Economic Committee (JEC) 2023 report.”

Throughout most of the 2010s, SNAP spending was $60billion to $80 billion. Extra benefits were added during the COVID-19 pandemic, raising food stamps spending to $127 billion in 2023, and $112 billion last year when the pandemic benefits expired.

Last month, Sens. GOP Katie Britt, Alabama, and Mike Lee, Utah, introduced a companion bill in the Senate to the House of Representatives’ Healthy SNAP Act.

“American tax dollars should not be used to pay for junk food and endanger the health of the most vulnerable Americans,” Lee said in a statement last month. “The fastest way to Make America Healthy Again is to encourage balanced diets and stop subsidizing unhealthy food choices. The Healthy SNAP Act is a solid step forward in building a society where all families can … enjoy strength, health, and good nutrition.”

Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, also introduced the Funding is Zero for Zero Nutrition Options (FIZZ-NO) Act in January, which would prohibit food stamps from being used to purchase soda. The bill currently has three cosponsors.

In December, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) sent a letter to Kennedy and then-Agriculture Secretary designate, Brooke Rollins regarding the purchase of soda and junk food with food stamps.

“[S]oda, unhealthy snacks, candy, and dessert account for nearly 23 percent, or $25 billion, of all SNAP purchases,” Sanders wrote. “Given the relationship between junk food and poor health, our federal food assistance policies are fueling obesity, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and a wide range of chronic health conditions across America.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, and seven other GOP Congress members wrote a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., last month, urging that SNAP benefits not be cut.

“[T]he House Committee on Agriculture has been directed to cut $230 billion,” the letter reads. “While we fully support efforts to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse, we must ensure that assistance programs – such as SNAP – remain protected as nearly 22% of Hispanic families rely on this critical program as a temporary safety net during difficult times. Not to mention the support that SNPA provides to families of all backgrounds across our nation.”

John Burnett, the first vice chair for the New York State Republican Party, said in an interview with InsideSources last month regarding the proposed food stamp restrictions that Trump and congressional Republicans should ensure they do not hurt their base.

“President Trump forged a broad coalition of support to win the White House. It was something only he could do, but the entire party benefited,” Burnett said. “Now, as Congress and others contemplate new policies, they need to be smart to not alienate working class individuals and families – the very voting bloc that brought Republicans success in 2024.”