James Myall
@jamesxmyall.bsky.social
Maine-based economic policy analyst. British-American, recovering historian.
Posts are my own views, not my organization's.
Posts are my own views, not my organization's.
I’m often surprised how weak US party leaders are (Trump being a notable exception). If you crossed your leadership in a crucial vote in the UK, you’d probably be kicked out of the party. Here, Schumer just says he’s disappointed.
www.axios.com/2025/11/10/s...
www.axios.com/2025/11/10/s...
Scoop: Schumer privately fought to extend government shutdown
"We let him know what we were doing," said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).
www.axios.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:58 AM
I’m often surprised how weak US party leaders are (Trump being a notable exception). If you crossed your leadership in a crucial vote in the UK, you’d probably be kicked out of the party. Here, Schumer just says he’s disappointed.
www.axios.com/2025/11/10/s...
www.axios.com/2025/11/10/s...
Who amongst us hasn't thought about giving up work for that sweet $176 a month in SNAP benefits?
Trump claims that food stamps "puts the country in jeopardy. People that are able-bodied can do a job, they leave their job because they figure they can pick this up, it's easier."
November 11, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Who amongst us hasn't thought about giving up work for that sweet $176 a month in SNAP benefits?
"Everyone for themselves" is the conservative economic mantra, and it fails people time and again. Unions negotiate better wages than individuals. Social Security offers more retirement security than individual saving. And group health insurance is better than going it alone #mepolitics
Trump: "I want the money to go into an account for people where they buy their own health insurance. It's so good. The insurance will be better. It'll cost less. Everybody is gonna be happy. They're gonna feel like entrepreneurs. They're actually able to go out & negotiate their own insurance"
November 11, 2025 at 1:35 AM
"Everyone for themselves" is the conservative economic mantra, and it fails people time and again. Unions negotiate better wages than individuals. Social Security offers more retirement security than individual saving. And group health insurance is better than going it alone #mepolitics
Reposted by James Myall
With talk of absurd GOP proposals to replace Marketplace tax credits with HSA contributions & require people to buy health services directly, this is just like a Project 2025 proposal to eliminate #Medicaid coverage & convert funding to vouchers/HSA contributions: ccf.georgetown.edu/2024/06/17/p...
November 10, 2025 at 10:29 PM
With talk of absurd GOP proposals to replace Marketplace tax credits with HSA contributions & require people to buy health services directly, this is just like a Project 2025 proposal to eliminate #Medicaid coverage & convert funding to vouchers/HSA contributions: ccf.georgetown.edu/2024/06/17/p...
Good news as SNAP benefits in Maine have begun arriving on people's cards on schedule #mepolitics
November 10, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Good news as SNAP benefits in Maine have begun arriving on people's cards on schedule #mepolitics
Reposted by James Myall
Urban #research shows that expanded #SNAP work requirements could lead to 2.7 million #families—and 5.4 million people—losing some or all of their monthly SNAP benefits. On average, affected families would see a monthly loss of $254 in food assistance.
Learn more. https://urbn.is/4hMj2Xj
Learn more. https://urbn.is/4hMj2Xj
November 10, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Urban #research shows that expanded #SNAP work requirements could lead to 2.7 million #families—and 5.4 million people—losing some or all of their monthly SNAP benefits. On average, affected families would see a monthly loss of $254 in food assistance.
Learn more. https://urbn.is/4hMj2Xj
Learn more. https://urbn.is/4hMj2Xj
I regularly get unsolicited invites to political fundraising events in my work email. I think it’s because I’m a registered lobbyist, which is a little troubling. Anyway, this one was particularly fun #mepolitics
November 10, 2025 at 2:05 PM
I regularly get unsolicited invites to political fundraising events in my work email. I think it’s because I’m a registered lobbyist, which is a little troubling. Anyway, this one was particularly fun #mepolitics
I can’t help but think Senate Democrats managed to prove folks like Jared Golden right, when he said the shutdown was just performative for the base and that it wasn’t an effective way to protect health care.
November 10, 2025 at 12:43 PM
I can’t help but think Senate Democrats managed to prove folks like Jared Golden right, when he said the shutdown was just performative for the base and that it wasn’t an effective way to protect health care.
I want state lawmakers to stop staying “states can’t afford to pay SNAP on their own.” We need to start preparing for eventualities like this. $360 million a year would be a big lift for Maine but it’s not actually impossible. We have to fight for progressive revenue #mepolitics
The Trump admin fucking up state administrative capacity to provide SNAP benefits is not just a feature of the shutdown. This is their long-term plan to reduce SNAP.
Soon, GOP will start talking block grants due to administrative complexity they created.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-big-be...
Soon, GOP will start talking block grants due to administrative complexity they created.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-big-be...
The Big Beautiful Bill has a SNAP Poison Pill
How states will get the blame for massive cuts to food stamps
donmoynihan.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:03 PM
I want state lawmakers to stop staying “states can’t afford to pay SNAP on their own.” We need to start preparing for eventualities like this. $360 million a year would be a big lift for Maine but it’s not actually impossible. We have to fight for progressive revenue #mepolitics
Reposted by James Myall
This is an absolutely insane administrative process. Within the space of a week, states were told by judges/White House
*no SNAP benefits
*half benefits
*full benefits
*pause provision of benefits.
Result is chaos, uncertainty, and uneven access to benefits depending on where people live.
*no SNAP benefits
*half benefits
*full benefits
*pause provision of benefits.
Result is chaos, uncertainty, and uneven access to benefits depending on where people live.
NEW: The Trump admin told states it must immediately "undo" the work to provide full food stamp benefits, or face penalties. The feds sent this in a late-night memo, only adding to the chaos and confusion around SNAP. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/b...
Trump Administration Demands States ‘Undo’ Work to Send Full Food Stamps
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:34 PM
This is an absolutely insane administrative process. Within the space of a week, states were told by judges/White House
*no SNAP benefits
*half benefits
*full benefits
*pause provision of benefits.
Result is chaos, uncertainty, and uneven access to benefits depending on where people live.
*no SNAP benefits
*half benefits
*full benefits
*pause provision of benefits.
Result is chaos, uncertainty, and uneven access to benefits depending on where people live.
I was just wondering the other day why Trump doesn’t use different tariff authority instead of IEEPA, and it seems that may be the backup plan.
J.P. Morgan: “This week’s US Supreme Court hearing over President Trump’s use of IEEPA tariffs raises the odds these will be reversed. We do not see the decision having a material impact on where the level of the effective tariff rate settles.”
November 8, 2025 at 11:30 PM
I was just wondering the other day why Trump doesn’t use different tariff authority instead of IEEPA, and it seems that may be the backup plan.
This would be terrible on a number of levels. If you’re dividing the existing ACA subsidies between everyone, people don’t get enough to buy insurance. Healthier people will keep the $ instead of buying insurance, driving prices up for everyone else.
November 8, 2025 at 3:36 PM
This would be terrible on a number of levels. If you’re dividing the existing ACA subsidies between everyone, people don’t get enough to buy insurance. Healthier people will keep the $ instead of buying insurance, driving prices up for everyone else.
Jeez. It’s not over yet after all #mepolitics
🚨BREAKING: Donald Trump & USDA going to Supreme Court to try and STOP SNAP Benefits from being distributed. This is truly the MOST evil thing I have ever witnessed by a sitting Administration. Absolutely DESPICABLE!
www.lawdork.com/p/trump-admi...
www.lawdork.com/p/trump-admi...
Trump admin goes to SCOTUS to try and stop order that it pay full SNAP benefits this month
DOJ asks the justices for an order by 9:30 p.m. Friday — as USDA was in the middle of completing its process for making full payments, under a court order to finish Friday.
www.lawdork.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Jeez. It’s not over yet after all #mepolitics
This should be a priority
Did you know gov shutdowns aren’t in the Constitution, any law, or Court ruling?
They exist because of a 1980 OLC memo—a lawyer’s opinion that everyone just went along with. Before 1980, funding gaps didn’t cause shutdowns.
What one memo created, another can undo. How the next D admin can undo it:
They exist because of a 1980 OLC memo—a lawyer’s opinion that everyone just went along with. Before 1980, funding gaps didn’t cause shutdowns.
What one memo created, another can undo. How the next D admin can undo it:
Why America’s Government Shutdowns Exist and How to End Them
One Legal Memo Created The Shutdown Era. Another Can End It.
open.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:21 PM
This should be a priority
A relatively simple fix would be for the legislature to amend the rainy day statute. Give the Governor limited authority to draw from it when the federal government is shut down, to replace critical federal funding #mepolitics
If this truly is the end of this debacle, Maine lawmakers should reflect on how unprepared the state was to handle the withdrawal of critical federal funds. This won’t be the last long shutdown and we need to set up better contingencies. #mepolitics
The food assistance program had not been funded since Nov. 1, when the USDA said it had run out of funding as a result of the ongoing federal government shutdown.
November 7, 2025 at 10:01 PM
A relatively simple fix would be for the legislature to amend the rainy day statute. Give the Governor limited authority to draw from it when the federal government is shut down, to replace critical federal funding #mepolitics
If this truly is the end of this debacle, Maine lawmakers should reflect on how unprepared the state was to handle the withdrawal of critical federal funds. This won’t be the last long shutdown and we need to set up better contingencies. #mepolitics
The food assistance program had not been funded since Nov. 1, when the USDA said it had run out of funding as a result of the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Janet Mills says Maine will pay full SNAP benefits in November
The food assistance program had not been funded since Nov. 1, when the USDA said the program had run out of funding as a result of the ongoing federal government shutdown.
www.bangordailynews.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:58 PM
If this truly is the end of this debacle, Maine lawmakers should reflect on how unprepared the state was to handle the withdrawal of critical federal funds. This won’t be the last long shutdown and we need to set up better contingencies. #mepolitics
This all still very chaotic, but fingers crossed…
BREAKING: The U.S. Department of Agriculture told states Friday it was releasing full November funding for the nation’s major food assistance program that helps 42 million people afford groceries.
via @fischler.bsky.social
www.newsfromthestates.com/article/full...
via @fischler.bsky.social
www.newsfromthestates.com/article/full...
Full November SNAP benefits to be issued by Trump administration despite shutdown
The U.S. Department of Agriculture told states Friday it was releasing full November funding for the nation’s major food assistance program that helps 42 million people afford groceries, complying wit...
www.newsfromthestates.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:59 PM
This all still very chaotic, but fingers crossed…
Reposted by James Myall
New guidance from USDA says they will administer full SNAP benefits.
However, less than 45 minutes ago, the Attorney General tweeted about asking for a stay on the order forcing full benefits.
Seems weird to send this guidance if they’re hoping for a stay by 4pm.
However, less than 45 minutes ago, the Attorney General tweeted about asking for a stay on the order forcing full benefits.
Seems weird to send this guidance if they’re hoping for a stay by 4pm.
November 7, 2025 at 6:14 PM
New guidance from USDA says they will administer full SNAP benefits.
However, less than 45 minutes ago, the Attorney General tweeted about asking for a stay on the order forcing full benefits.
Seems weird to send this guidance if they’re hoping for a stay by 4pm.
However, less than 45 minutes ago, the Attorney General tweeted about asking for a stay on the order forcing full benefits.
Seems weird to send this guidance if they’re hoping for a stay by 4pm.
Ok so I guess everything is just confusing and chaotic. Some states (like California) sent the request to the federal vendor for the usual benefit, and got it. At the same time, federal lawyers are appealing the ruling in court. So the feds are totally in disarray.
This is particularly confusing since I’ve read that Trump is appealing the ruling(!) and I didn’t think USDA had even sent funds to states yet, let alone given states time to load the money onto cards. Unless CA is using state money?
BIG WIN: The Trump Administration was ordered today to immediately release all the SNAP food benefits they've withheld during the government shutdown.
Californians are beginning to see benefits on their CalFresh cards now.
Californians are beginning to see benefits on their CalFresh cards now.
November 7, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Ok so I guess everything is just confusing and chaotic. Some states (like California) sent the request to the federal vendor for the usual benefit, and got it. At the same time, federal lawyers are appealing the ruling in court. So the feds are totally in disarray.
President Trump is fighting hard to avoid feeding people. Amazing.
BREAKING: The Trump administration seeks an emergency pause to a court order demanding full November SNAP payments.
Trump administration seeks to halt SNAP food aid payments after a court order
The Trump administration has asked a federal appeals court to block a judge’s order to distribute November’s full SNAP benefits during a U.S. government shutdown. U.S.
bit.ly
November 7, 2025 at 4:38 PM
President Trump is fighting hard to avoid feeding people. Amazing.
I don't understand this take. $260,000 is more than 4 times the median wage in the NYC metro area. It probably puts the mayor in the top 5% of wage earners, if not higher. How much more incentive do you need to serve and not be corrupt (as the argument sometimes goes)?
The Mayor of New York only makes $260k. I bet there are police that make more than that in NY with overtime.
We need to pay elected leaders more money and stop pretending it's some sort of calling. They're managing hundreds of billions of dollars in investments and millions of people's lives.
We need to pay elected leaders more money and stop pretending it's some sort of calling. They're managing hundreds of billions of dollars in investments and millions of people's lives.
November 7, 2025 at 4:17 PM
I don't understand this take. $260,000 is more than 4 times the median wage in the NYC metro area. It probably puts the mayor in the top 5% of wage earners, if not higher. How much more incentive do you need to serve and not be corrupt (as the argument sometimes goes)?
I understand the sentiment, but it’s worth remembering the scale. If all of Maine’s delegation gave up their salary for a year, it would be equivalent to $4 for each person receiving SNAP in the state.
"Because Congress caused the shutdown but didn’t forgo their own pay, every member of Congress should donate their yearly salary to help the folks in a jam." www.bangordailynews.com/2025/11/07/o...
Letter: Members of Congress should donate their salaries to help their constituents
"Because Congress caused the shutdown but didn’t forgo their own pay, every member of Congress should donate their yearly salary to help the folks in a jam."
www.bangordailynews.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:12 PM
I understand the sentiment, but it’s worth remembering the scale. If all of Maine’s delegation gave up their salary for a year, it would be equivalent to $4 for each person receiving SNAP in the state.
This is particularly confusing since I’ve read that Trump is appealing the ruling(!) and I didn’t think USDA had even sent funds to states yet, let alone given states time to load the money onto cards. Unless CA is using state money?
BIG WIN: The Trump Administration was ordered today to immediately release all the SNAP food benefits they've withheld during the government shutdown.
Californians are beginning to see benefits on their CalFresh cards now.
Californians are beginning to see benefits on their CalFresh cards now.
A federal judge in Rhode Island has said the Trump administration must fully cover food stamp benefits for tens of millions of Americans in November. https://cnn.it/47KumOX
November 7, 2025 at 3:27 AM
This is particularly confusing since I’ve read that Trump is appealing the ruling(!) and I didn’t think USDA had even sent funds to states yet, let alone given states time to load the money onto cards. Unless CA is using state money?
Bradstreet won election by 199 votes #mepolitics
Over on FB, Senator Dick Bradstreet and Gov LePage are celebrating their food drive. But one table of canned goods won’t come close to helping all 6,000 of Bradstreet’s constituents who will get partial or no SNAP because of the president. It can’t substitute for federal/state help #mepolitics
November 7, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Bradstreet won election by 199 votes #mepolitics
Over on FB, Senator Dick Bradstreet and Gov LePage are celebrating their food drive. But one table of canned goods won’t come close to helping all 6,000 of Bradstreet’s constituents who will get partial or no SNAP because of the president. It can’t substitute for federal/state help #mepolitics
November 7, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Over on FB, Senator Dick Bradstreet and Gov LePage are celebrating their food drive. But one table of canned goods won’t come close to helping all 6,000 of Bradstreet’s constituents who will get partial or no SNAP because of the president. It can’t substitute for federal/state help #mepolitics