“Like a Band-Aid on a bullet hole” — SC Dems call for further action by governor, fellow Republicans as SNAP ends

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — As the government shutdown continues and SNAP benefits come to an end on Saturday, SC Democratic lawmakers are calling for further action by Governor Henry McMaster and Republican representatives.

Democratic Senator Russell Ott says while he appreciates the governor’s opening of the “One SC Fund” on Tuesday, (a charitable giving campaign that depends on donations from citizens and businesses to help statewide food banks) the fund is not a solution.

“That’s almost like a Band-Aid on a bullet hole. It might buy us a couple of days, but if this goes into effect and lasts who knows how long, that’s not going to get us out of this problem,” says Ott.

Democratic leaders agree it’s outside the governor’s authority to call legislators back into session, and want lawmakers on both sides to make the choice on their own — to then come up with further ways to help families in need.

“We need to show that we are not Washington, D.C. That we are down to do the work of the people, and if that means coming into session to figure it out, then we as a body, the Democrats are willing to do that, we’d ask Republicans to do the same,” says SC House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford.

Governor McMaster responded to that idea on Tuesday, saying, “Well since they are technically still in session, the way it works, I can’t call them back in, they would have to call themselves back in. In that event they would have to appropriate money, or food.”

The governor was also asked if he could declare a state of emergency.

“There’s no pots of money that that state of emergency declaration would open up. We don’t have any for this, we don’t have any for food,” he says.

However, Rep. Hamilton Grant disagrees, saying, “So I believe based on the Emergency Management Act, based on the power that the governor has, he can redirect funds that are already allocated to special-use things, like this is a humanitarian crisis. It’s already been done. Look at the COVID-19 crisis when a state of emergency was declared, and so we already have a precedent , and him coming on camera and saying it can’t be done — I don’t understand that.”

According to the Office of the Governor, Governor McMaster does not have the authority to redirect funding during a state of emergency.

Representative Deon Tedder is calling on SC Attorney General Alan Wilson to sue the USDA .

“Because they are holding our contingency funds for SNAP benefits,” he says.

AG Wilson released a statement on Wednesday, taking a political over judicial approach, urging Congress to take action and temporarily fund SNAP benefits.

In part, writing:

“More than 260,000 South Carolinians rely on SNAP benefits to help feed their families, and they shouldn’t be worried about their kids going hungry because of this political standoff,” Attorney General Wilson said. “We’re urging Sen. Schumer and other Democrats to act quickly. Congress can stop the threat right now by passing a clean continuing resolution that keeps essential services funded and protects those who rely on them. You have the power to prevent a crisis that is entirely avoidable.”

In the meantime, SNAP benefits are set to end on Saturday, November 1st.

“The state of SC can do something about it, and we can do it immediately,” says Grant.