by James Cowell
Tennessee lawmakers are once again trying to fix a problem that doesn’t exist. SB1154/HB1236, the so-called “Tennessee Healthy SNAP Act,” is a misguided attempt to restrict what low-income families can purchase with their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. While proponents claim these restrictions will promote healthier eating, they will instead create unnecessary bureaucracy, burden local businesses, and further limit food access for families already struggling to make ends meet.
If this sounds familiar, that’s because it is. Similar proposals have been pushed before — only to be abandoned due to their glaring flaws. Even President Trump, a champion of small government and fiscal responsibility, dismissed the idea. That’s because restrictions like these don’t save taxpayers a dime, won’t reduce obesity, and will only expand the role of government in our personal lives.
Let’s be clear: Tennessee SNAP recipients are hardworking families, veterans, and seniors facing economic hardship. These are our neighbors, not irresponsible spenders. Studies show that SNAP users shop just like any other American family, purchasing a balanced mix of produce, proteins, and, yes, occasional treats. Should the government really be telling them what they can and cannot put in their grocery carts?
History proves that bans and prohibitions don’t work. If Tennesseans can’t buy certain items with their SNAP benefits, they’ll simply use what little cash they have — making no real impact on their dietary choices. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has estimated that similar programs could cost over $600 million annually at the national level meaning our state could end up wasting millions implementing and enforcing a bureaucratic mess.
These restrictions won’t just hurt families — they’ll also harm Tennessee’s small businesses. Grocery stores, especially mom-and-pop retailers, will be forced to invest in costly software updates, employee training, and even potential store redesigns to comply with the law. Larger chain stores might absorb the hit, but for small, independent grocers, these changes could be devastating.
Beyond the financial costs, SB1154/HB1236 sets a dangerous precedent. If we allow the government to dictate which foods are “acceptable” for low-income Tennesseans today, what’s next? Will the state keep restricting what TANF recipients can buy? What about school lunch programs? Where does this end?
Perhaps the most troubling aspect of this bill is its failure to address the root issue. No one denies that America has a health crisis, but if lawmakers truly care about improving public health, they should focus on expanding access to affordable, nutritious food instead of punishing low-income families.
This is big government overreach at its worst. Rather than empowering families to make their own choices, SB1154/HB1236 micromanages their lives while accomplishing nothing. Tennessee’s leaders should reject this misguided attempt at government control and focus on real solutions that respect both freedom and fiscal responsibility. I urge Senator Rusty Crowe to withdraw SB1154 and look to find more conservative alternatives to fix public health issues.
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James Cowell serves as Tennessee’s College Director for a conservative grassroots organization focused towards preserving first amendment rights. Cowell was heavily involved with several student and youth conservative organizations such as TPUSA and YAF. In addition to these organizations, Cowell served as Chief Operating Officer for the state’s Uncensored America chapter, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting for freedom of speech.
Photo “Grocery Store” by
Brittani Burns.
Just another welfare/socialist program to redistribute taxpayer dollars. My family was flat out broke back when we were a young MARRIED couple. But we worked our tails off and took care of ourselves and two small children. Government handouts were not even a consideration. Too easy to take the path of least resistance these days. Too many government handouts from food to school supplies to no profit giveaways. No wonder the USA is $37,000,000,000.00 in debt and sinking faster than a rock.
This program should be restricted to food to help people and keep them in good health. This is how it was in the past. NOW you can buy anything with it. This, in many times makes the health of the person worse.
Everyone that looks, will see people buying almost everything with snap, and other benifits. Beer, junk snacks and many other things are purchased every day. In years past my family has a store. We had a list of what could be and not be bought with this. Beers, smokes, snuff and a host of other things were not on the list of what you could but with snap at that time. Now you just get a pre loaded card. Now, what ever is OK.