Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) grilled Director of SNAP Policy and Advocacy for the Food Research and Action Center Gina Plata-Nino during a hearing and exposed an apparent conflict of interest by asking one question that left her utterly speechless. During the interview, Gill asked Plata-Nino why her organization advocates that food stamps should cover sugary foods and sodas like Coke,
“Do organizations who profit off of food stamps fund your organization or businesses? Does General Mills fund your organization?” Gill asked the director. “I don’t have access to that information,” she replied. Gill wasted no time taking Plata-Nino to school, saying, “I do. They do fund your organization. Do they profit off of food stamps?”
“Retailers are the major beneficiaries. That’s where EBT dollars are utilized,” the witness responded. “Yes, and they’re profiting off of your advocacy. Do you think that that’s a conflict of interest?” Gill asked, getting no response from the witness. “I think most people think that’s a conflict of interest. I know you don’t want to answer. My time is up.”
According to a report from RealClear Politics, Gill opened his questioning time by asking Plata-Nino if SNAP money should be spent on sodas. Plata-Nino said, “The purpose of the SNAP program is to provide families with food and beverages.” Gill pressed the witness by asking his question again. “I am happy to talk about hunger and nutrition, but not dictate what Americans should or should not eat or may have access to,” she replied.
“I’m asking if tax dollars should be used to pay for sodas,” Gill asked a third time. “Taxpayers’ money should be utilized to ensure that individuals have access to the food that they need to survive or may be accessible to them,” Plata-Nino told the Texas Republican. “Do they need sugary soda to survive?” Plata-Nino responded, “Some of them do, who do have low blood issues, who may have kidney issues.”
“Is that right? You think they need Coca-Cola to survive? Do you think that’s the most appropriate use of our tax dollars?” Gill continued. “I am not a physician, but medical records and –” Gill interjected, “You were just citing the health needs, apparently, of the American people. So do the American people need Coca-Cola to survive?”
“I did not say that,” she said, clearly getting flustered. “I’m asking you. I’m giving you the opportunity to say yes or no.” She replied, “I will not answer for individuals and their choices.” Later in the exchange Gill said, “I think most people can rationally say that you don’t need Coca-Cola to survive. Wouldn’t you agree?” Plata-Nino tap-danced around the question again.
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Gill then asks the witness if she believes that Coca-Cola can satisfy a person’s hunger and meet their dietary needs. “I did not say that,” she told Gill. “But you said that the worst health outcome is hunger, and I’m asking you about sugary sodas.” The interview session got even more serious later on when Gill asked her about a conflict of interest since her group’s main funding comes from companies that profit off of the sale of sodas and foods that are purchased using food stamps, as noted above.
Featured Image: screenshot from embedded video