Keystone Today

Following a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), it has been revealed that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) violated federal budget laws in its handling of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The report has prompted a response from House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson.

Chairman Thompson expressed strong criticism of the USDA's financial practices under Secretary Vilsack, stating, "USDA’s reckless accounting gimmicks under Secretary Vilsack weren’t just bad bookkeeping—they were an abuse of taxpayer resources and a violation of law." He further accused the department of prioritizing "political convenience over program integrity and the financial standing of the department," which he describes as a consistent pattern during the previous administration.

Thompson emphasized that this issue will not be ignored and vowed to ensure accountability. He stated, "We will not let this go unchecked—we will ensure accountability and put an end to these partisan budget games."

The GAO report and subsequent reactions highlight ongoing concerns about financial management within federal programs, particularly regarding SNAP, which provides crucial support to millions of Americans.