WASHINGTON (AP) - Republicans controlling the House are eying big cuts to food stamps as they piece together legislation to trim $261 billion from the federal budget over the next decade, hoping to forestall major Pentagon cutbacks.
The cuts to food stamps would reduce the monthly benefit for a family of four by almost $60, repealing increases that were enacted three years ago as part of President Barack Obama's economic stimulus. The changes would also force up to 3 million people out of the program by tightening eligibility rules, the administration estimates.
The food stamp cuts would total $8 billion over the coming year and $34 billion over a decade. The program has been expanded greatly over the past few years _ enrollment tops 46 million nationwide, up from about 33 million in 2009 _ and now costs about $80 billion a year. The average monthly benefit for a family of four is about $500, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a liberal research and advocacy group.
3 comments:
There are so many that abuse the system. It really needs an over haul. They should be restricted to only certain things. Many that get food stamps also get wic, free breakfast and lunch at school. They also can go to food pantries and get more food.
Perish the thought that they might consider excluding the thousands of illegal (and legal) immigrants that come here and immediately go on the dole.
If you can't support yourself here, don't come.
10:11 is on the money - the other day, I was in the grocery store and saw someone paying for baby food with special vouchers...then she whipped out the food stamps and paid for the pre-made pizza's, pre-made (highly processed) dinners, soda, and bags of snack foods. No regular (or even canned)vegetables, or family pack raw meats (to go home and cook!). Between that and the folks that shouldn't even get these handouts (illegals), we could reduce some of these programs to manageable levels.....
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