Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) faced criticism for a proposal to limit where food stamp recipients can purchase meals.
The Iowa Republican, who is not seeking re-election, told Fox Business that she would introduce a bill to prevent SNAP recipients from using their government assistance to buy fast food.
“I have a McSCUSE ME Act which would disallow those SNAP benefits being used at fast food restaurants,” Ernst said. “We want to make sure that those hungry families, those food insecure families actually are receiving benefits, but we want them to really use those dollars on nutrient-rich foods.”
The measure’s name seems to have come from a catchphrase uttered by a woman in a viral video who complained that a McDonald’s employee mocked her weight when she asked about $1 deal on a McRib sandwich.
“McScuse me, b—-?” the woman says in the video. “I throw-punch that b—-. I knocked her a– out.”
Social media users were harshly critical of the senator and her proposal.
“McScuse me, but didn’t you say that everyone is going to die eventually so we don’t need healthcare?” said X user Rose Benson.
“McDonald’s for me, but not for thee,” grumbled X user Carina, posting a photo of President Donald Trump and some of his top officials eating fast food on Air Force One, but doctored to make them appear much heavier.
“Translation: Poors don’t get to decide what to eat with their SNAP benefits,” added X user Chris Robinson.
“The core of MAHA is that infectious disease is okay, but food is dangerous,” noted X user Alexander Riccio. “I’m sure the black plague would’ve gone better if everybody had avoided ultra processed foods!”
“You literally cannot do this,” pointed out commentary account The Feng Hunter. “If you receive EBT cash, you MAY be able to redeem the EBT cash benefit depending on the state in which you live, but you CANNOT use SNAP funds for hot food — Costco rotisserie chicken, included.”
“McDonald’s doesn’t accept EBT… only two states in the US have had ‘fast food’ restaurants accept it (CA and MI), and in total, only 9 states in total have an RMP program,” agreed X user Ambrose Bielecki. “McDonald’s should sue Ernst for associating them with her bill.”
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