Limbaugh Falsely Smears SNAP As “The Buy Beer ... With A Government Credit Card Program”

Written by Justin Berrier

Published

Rush Limbaugh attacked the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, as the “buy beer ... with a government credit card” despite prohibitions on the purchase of alcohol with program funds.

From Limbaugh's March 29 radio show:

SNAP explicitly prohibits the use of program funds to purchase alcohol. The program's website, which is operated by the Department of Agriculture, lists “Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco” as examples of products that SNAP benefits cannot pay for:

Households CANNOT use SNAP benefits to buy:

  • Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco;
  • Any nonfood items, such as:

-- pet foods;
-- soaps, paper products; and
-- household supplies.

  • Vitamins and medicines.
  • Food that will be eaten in the store.
  • Hot foods.