RFK Jr. Backs West Virginia Ban On Taxpayer-Funded Soda Purchases

Taxpayer-funded sugary drinks could soon be off the table for SNAP recipients in West Virginia, thanks to a new effort backed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Friday that his state is requesting a federal waiver to stop allowing soda purchases with food stamp benefits.

Kennedy fully supported the move and urged other governors to follow West Virginia’s example. He said he would welcome them to the White House if they take similar action. According to the administration, 15 states are already in discussions about removing soda from the list of approved SNAP items.

Kennedy’s position is straightforward — soda is not food, and it certainly isn’t necessary for survival. He’s argued that the federal government should not force working Americans to cover the cost of unhealthy beverages for others. Instead, taxpayer dollars should go toward basic nutrition.

Critics from the soda industry have pushed back, claiming sugary drinks are being unfairly blamed. But many Americans see this for what it is — a basic budget correction. No one is banning soda. People are simply being asked to pay for it themselves.

More surprisingly, a few conservative influencers have started echoing talking points that sound like they were written by a beverage lobbyist. Their sudden defense of subsidized soda has raised eyebrows. Observers suspect financial incentives may be behind their coordinated posts.

White House adviser Calley Means dismissed those criticisms, making it clear that the administration’s goal is to end taxpayer subsidies for junk products. “We’re not saying anyone can’t drink Coke,” he said. “We’re saying no government subsidies for Coke.”

The final call rests with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, who confirmed she will review the West Virginia request and support other states that want to do the same.

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