Congressman Cohen Says Tennessee’s Decision to Let Children’s Summer Food Program Lapse is “Cruel”
Asked Governor Lee for an explanation which has not been forthcoming
WASHINGTON – On January 6, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) wrote to Governor Bill Lee expressing concern that Tennessee had missed a deadline to participate in the Electronic Benefits Transfer Program for Children and would forfeit $1.1 million for a program that fed 700,000 children last year unless the situation was rectified.
The letter set a January 17 deadline for Governor Lee to provide an explanation of the decision. The explanation has not been forthcoming.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
“I called attention to what appeared initially to be a simple matter of neglect or incompetence with the goal of correcting an oversight that would otherwise lead to the state forfeiting federal dollars for a children’s summer food program. Governor Lee’s failure to provide an explanation for this short-sighted and cruel decision now persuades me that the oversight was intentional, and intentionally harmful and heartless.
“I’d still like that explanation, and the children of Tennessee and their parents deserve one.”
See Congressman Cohen’s January 6 letter to the governor here.
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