http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/09/19/house-gop-food-stamp-cuts/2839343/The House approved a Republican plan Thursday to cut food stamps by $39 billion during the next decade, setting up a showdown with Democrats over the program used by nearly 48 million low-income Americans.
The House voted 217-210 for the bill that cuts nearly twice as much from food stamps as a bill the House rejected in June. It is also far more than a Senate measure passed earlier this year that would trim about $4.5 billion in spending. The bill failed to draw the support of a single Democrat, many of whom have said the steep cuts would erode a key safety net depended upon by families with children, seniors, veterans and people looking for work.
Fifteen Republicans also voted against the bill.
Republicans argued that the bill would restore the program's original eligibility limits and preserve the safety net for the truly needy.
The bill would cause 3 million people to lose benefits while another 850,000 would see their benefits cut, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office. The White House threatened Wednesday to veto the bill, calling food stamps one of the "nation's strongest defenses against hunger and poverty."
The battle over food stamps has left in limbo the future of farm policy, and slowed efforts to write a new five-year, $500 billion farm bill. The current law expires on Sept. 30.
In June, the House rejected the farm bill in a floor vote that was seen as a major setback to House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio. Democrats argued that the cuts in the bill were too severe, and Republicans opposed the bill because of costs they said were still too high.
A few weeks later, the House broke the farm bill into two separate chunks, narrowly approving the subsidy and conservation section but reserving the food stamp portion for later.
The cost of food stamps — officially called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — has exploded over the past decade, according to the Department of Agriculture. In 2001, the program served 17 million people at a cost of just over $15 billion. By June of this year, there were 47.8 million people enrolled in the program, and annual costs were about $75 billion.
Republicans argue that the growth has been fueled by allowing states to waive eligibility requirements, allowing more people to enroll in the program than the law originally intended.
The bill originally passed by the House Agriculture Committee would have cut $20 billion from the program over 10 years, in large part by limiting the ability of states to automatically qualify people who are already enrolled in other anti-poverty programs. Earlier this week, Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., introduced a new version of the bill that boosts the cuts to nearly $40 billion by adding stiffer requirements for many able-bodied recipients to be working or looking for work or in a job-training program. The bill does not include new funding for job training.
The Congressional Budget Office estimated that under current law, "spending for SNAP would total $764 billion over the 2014-2023 period." Passage of the House bill would reduce those costs by $39 billion or about a 5%.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, told USA TODAY's Capital Download on Thursday that Democrats are not opposed to food stamp cuts.
"I'm certain that we could embrace as House Democrats some measure of cuts," she said. "I mean, every program can benefit from some savings. But the first go-round the Republicans' proposed cut was $20 billion. Then they passed an amendment that was $31.4 billion. And now that still isn't good enough for the Tea Partiers. Now we're at $40 billion. What they're saying is that in America it's OK for people to go hungry."
But Agriculture Committee member Mike Conaway, R-Texas, said Thursday "we are not talking about eliminating the SNAP program." The goal of the bill, he said, is to "limit the public assistance program to those who qualify and close loopholes that have allowed people to game the system." The changes will help "keep the safety net intact for qualified families," he said.
Despite the divide between Republicans and Democrats over food stamps, lawmakers in the House and the Senate are expected to move quickly to try to write a farm bill that includes both food stamps and agricultural programs.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev, said Thursday, ""House Republicans' vote to deny nutrition assistance to hungry, low-income Americans is shameful. The Senate will never pass such hateful, punitive legislation."
If Congress cannot pass a bill, the food stamp program would continue in its present state, with no cuts.
House Passes GOP Plan For $39B Cut in Food Stamps
- Thread starter Straight Shooter
- Start date
Because the dems haven't risen their salaries since they are at the presidency of the US with Obama since 2008?
bahodeme
Closed Account
Because they haven't deserved one since 2008. In order to be get the increase, the politrickians should do something and I am referring to both sides.
Not sure if this thread is about Congressional salaries or food stamps. I believe under law the salaries automatically rise unless there is a vote on holding it back.
I understand why people mock congress. The House specifically was given the power it has because it is the body that most represents the people. It is very much a mirror of what we (The US) wants and/or accepts. It is made up of locally elected representatives. We put those people there. If you're happy with your representative's performance, then you have a clear conscience. Perhaps people are just unhappy with someone else's representative. (I'm not always agreeing with mine, but I like him there.)
I understand why people mock congress. The House specifically was given the power it has because it is the body that most represents the people. It is very much a mirror of what we (The US) wants and/or accepts. It is made up of locally elected representatives. We put those people there. If you're happy with your representative's performance, then you have a clear conscience. Perhaps people are just unhappy with someone else's representative. (I'm not always agreeing with mine, but I like him there.)
HehehehehehehehehehahaHyena
Closed Account
This would be a great idea if they also threw in a minimum wage increase.
The GOP loves to talk up God so much so I would like to hear them make the Christian argument for keeping food out of kid's mouths
And being a healthcare and social security leech off as well as an unwilling to work piece of shit living all life from food stamps, social helps and drug/prostitution related businesses is better?
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I don't know what the fuck you just said. Come back at me when you learn how to write in proper English
And watch them vote for a 45 billion dollar increase in subsidies for oil, gas, defense R&D, and big ag.
I can confirm this. I live in a military area and a lot of the enlisted families are supplemented with government aid and it's not unusual to see them dumpster diving to get useful things for their families. Anything from mattresses to toys to furniture, they'll go after it.
Mr. Daystar
In a bell tower, watching you through cross hairs.
All I know is, my 87 year old Aunt in a nursing home, will likely take a hit, before some 20 year old girl, that has 3 kids, by 4 fathers, and has never made effort one, to be a productive member of society. I'm going round and round with social services right now. Her case worker took a personal leave, her boss never covered her work, or divided it up among the other case workers, so her renewal never got done, from FEBRUARY...and now they say we have to reapply, because the bank account that closed out in 2010, the year BEFORE she went to the nursing home, is in question. A question that was never asked for the previous 3 years, but now is an issue. An account that never had more the $1500 in it at any one time. Personally, I think the fucktards working in these government jobs should be I.Q. and drug tested monthly, in addition to tests that judge their common sense, and ability to understand basic reasonable thought. If they fail, hand them a broom, and point them to a dirty street.
Mariahxxx
Official Checked Star Member
georges do you know how much people get in food stamps? it's a VERY small amount. you cant use it to buy beer or tobacco or anything other than food. and it cant be prepared food either like stuff from the deli thats cooked already. if you tried to live on food stamps you couldnt. they aren't forever either. they make you jump through so many hoops to get them its ridiculous.
I was on them when I was 17 after I had my son. I had Medi-Cal which is Califorina's social services program that provided me with medical care and dental for myself and my son. it saved me in many ways because I couldn't afford to live otherwise. I discontinued it when I got into the industry but I remember thinking how would I have made it without that help. I got $112 monthly for food stamps. that is hardly enough to live on. I also got $290 in welfare a month, once again not enough to live on but it helped out with diapers and necessities. They also gave me bus tokens.
I have been paying taxes ever since. I haven't gotten a hand out since. To hear that they are taking away funding for this but not a peep about taking away military spending or any of the other overspending programs is sickening. And to think this is coming from the people who call themselves christians LMFAO that makes it all the more ridiculous.
I was on them when I was 17 after I had my son. I had Medi-Cal which is Califorina's social services program that provided me with medical care and dental for myself and my son. it saved me in many ways because I couldn't afford to live otherwise. I discontinued it when I got into the industry but I remember thinking how would I have made it without that help. I got $112 monthly for food stamps. that is hardly enough to live on. I also got $290 in welfare a month, once again not enough to live on but it helped out with diapers and necessities. They also gave me bus tokens.
I have been paying taxes ever since. I haven't gotten a hand out since. To hear that they are taking away funding for this but not a peep about taking away military spending or any of the other overspending programs is sickening. And to think this is coming from the people who call themselves christians LMFAO that makes it all the more ridiculous.
actually about half of the US population is on some type of government assistance at the moment which is a very sad and scary thought, and I agree with Mariah that there is definitely a shitload of wasted spending going on at Capital Corrupt Hill and it has been going on for years unfortunately and as far as the military industrial complex is concerned....that budget will never be touched for cuts, it will only be increased because there are still a few countries out there that don't have a central bank that is controlled by The Rothschild Banking dynasty, the main ones being Syria, Iran, North Korea and Cuba
Mr. Daystar
In a bell tower, watching you through cross hairs.
While I do agree some cuts might be worthwhile, I think there are many other places cuts should be made, before military is considered. I don't think it should be ruled out...just not a priority cut, as some others should be.
Mariahxxx
Official Checked Star Member
the military is the biggest program in our entire budget. we are subsidizing military contractors to build things we dont need and will never use! When you outspend everyone else combined it's time to cut back. warfare has taken on a new strategy with cyber and drones and black ops. no need for 10 million tanks. they keep increasing military spending but not pay for soldiers.
to say military cuts aren't needed is crazy. that is the first thing that needs to be cut. you don't decimate it, but you certainly audit and remove all those subsidized contracts.
to say military cuts aren't needed is crazy. that is the first thing that needs to be cut. you don't decimate it, but you certainly audit and remove all those subsidized contracts.
social security comes out of every paycheck I make when the day comes I need it, I paid for it. its not fucking government freebies. you're proving more and more how little you really know about the US government
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