"14 GOP-led states reject federal summer food assistance, Louisiana program terminated"

14 GOP-led states, including Texas and Mississippi, have declined federal funding to provide summer nutrition assistance to low-income families, citing reasons such as philosophical objections to welfare programs and technical challenges. The Summer EBT program, which provides grocery assistance to families with children in free or reduced-price school lunch programs, is expected to cost $2.5 billion this year and help feed 21 million children. Despite concerns about existing summer meal programs, advocates argue that the EBT program could address child hunger and promote nutrition.