Puerto Rico makes cuts to food stamps program absent additional disaster relief

This week Puerto Rico made a 25% cut to a food stamps program used by more than 1 million of its residents, as U.S. lawmakers have chosen not to approve additional emergency disaster funding that would keep the program afloat, The Washington Post reports.

Between the lines: The Trump administration has increasingly opposed funding for disaster relief for the U.S. territory. Per the Post, President Trump reportedly told top White House officials that Puerto Rico has used the food stamps ineffectively and the country is abusing the government's service. Demand for the food stamp program increased substantially following 2017's Hurricane Maria; these recent cuts were made to keep up with demand absent additional funding.