News

Republicans Push Food Stamp Changes Through House with Controversial Farm Bill

On Thursday, the House passed its GOP-backed version of the farm bill by a marginal two votes. With the current farm bill set to expire September 30, lawmakers have been scrambling to come to a consensus on the key piece of legislation traditionally responsible for re-authorizing programs related to food and agricultural policy.

SLIDESHOW: DONALD TRUMP’S 30 CRAZIEST TWEETS

The farm bill was finally pushed through by Republicans after a rocky start. Back in May, the bill failed in the House after a group of Republicans from the Freedom Caucus voted in opposition to secure their own vote for a conservative immigration plan.

50 Celebrities Who Have Died In 2018 – Tribute Slideshow

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

The most polarizing aspect of the $867 billion package is the Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. Under the proposed legislation, able-bodied adults aged 18-59 will have to spend 20 hours per week either working or participating in a state-run training program to receive benefits.

According to Republicans, the job requirements will promote self-sufficiency and push more workers into the labor force.

“This bill includes critical reforms to nutrition benefits that close the skills gap, better equip our workforce, and encourage people to move from welfare to work, so more Americans have the opportunity to tap into the economic prosperity we’re seeing right now,” said Speaker of the House Paul Ryan

The bill comes to the dismay of many Democrats and anti-hunger groups who claim it will only exacerbate the problem of food insecurity by cutting an estimated 400,000 households off the program as well as putting thousands of children at risk of losing their enrollment in free and reduced-price school meal programs. According to Rep. Collin Peterson, top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, the bill “worsens hunger and it fails rural communities.”

The passage of the bill means it will soon go to conference with the Senate’s bipartisan version of the bill, given it passes, before appearing on the president’s desk.

Cathryn Casatuta

Recent Posts

Democrats Attack Green Party Nominee Jill Stein In New Ad

A new ad about Green Party candidate Jill Stein has been released by Vice President Kamala Harris'…

11 hours ago

Jennifer Lopez Says Trump ‘Offended Every Latino In The Country’ With MSG Joke At Harris Rally

https://youtu.be/inbJpo6D4BQ Jennifer Lopez, campaigning with Kamala Harris on Oct. 31 in Nevada, said Donald Trump’s…

11 hours ago

Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn Says ‘Gates Of Hell’ Will Be Opened On Opponents If Trump Is Reelected

Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn declared that the "gates of hell" would be unleashed if former…

2 days ago

VIDEO: Kamala Harris Hugs First Person In Line For Her Ellipse Rally, Chats With Her Mom

https://youtu.be/JQCdk-71tG0 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris met with the woman who was the first in…

2 days ago

VIDEO: Harris Vows To Put ‘Country Above Party’ In Front Of 75,000 People At The Ellipse

https://youtu.be/xc72fdqkaVc Vice President Kamala Harris vowed to put “country above party and above self” as…

3 days ago

Trump-Friendly Judge Aileen Cannon In The Running For Attorney General If Former President Wins Second Term

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has reportedly been placed on a list of potential attorney general candidates…

3 days ago