SNAP research director, Obama-foundation leader says 'some' Americans need Coca-Cola to survive

The Obama Foundation leader Gina Plata-Nino, who is also the Director of SNAP Policy and Advocacy at the left-wing Food Research and Action Center, claimed during a congressional hearing that some Americans may need sugary soda in order to survive.

The comments came in response to Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) who was grilling her on use of SNAP funds going towards junk food such as soda. "I'm asking if tax dollars should be used to pay for sodas," Gill said.

"Taxpayers' money should be utilized to ensure that individuals have access to the food that they need to survive, or may be accessible to them," Plata-Nino responded.

Gill followed up, "Do they need sugary sodas to survive?"

Plata-Nino then claimed, "Some of them do who do have low blood issues ... or kidney issues."

"Is that right? You think they need Coca-Cola to survive? Do you think that's the most appropriate use of our tax dollars?" After being questioned by Gill, Plata-Nino said that she is "not a physician but medical records and expertise do show that in some circumstances–"

Gill pressed her on the issue again and asked if the American people need Coca-Cola to survive, to which she said that she would not answer for individual cases.

"I think most people would rationally say you don't need Coca-Cola to survive. Wouldn't you agree?"

"I agree that we have a hunger crisis and that we need to address it by ensuring that people have the food resources that they need," Plata-Nino. They went back and forth, with the Obama Foundation official not giving a straight answer as to whether or not soda provides any nutritional value.

According to Influence Watch, the organization that Plata-Nino represents, the Food Research and Action Center, advocates to increase taxpayer funded nutrition programs and expand programs such as SNAP. The hearing surrounded the topic of eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse of the SNAP welfare system.