US lawmakers vote to cut food stamp benefits

[Jazzy]

US lawmakers have narrowly voted to cut food stamp benefits from next year despite a veto threat from the White House and opposition by lobby groups.

The Republican-led House of Representatives passed the bill by 217-200. But it has little chance in the Democratic-held Senate.

The bill would save $39bn (£24bn) over a decade, but affect four million people on the programme.

It comes a day after census data showed 15% of Americans live in poverty.

An estimated one in seven Americans - most of them children, elderly or disabled - receive food stamps.

'Let them starve' bill
The bill aims to cut $4bn a year, representing about 5% of the current programme.

The budget savings would be achieved by allowing states to use work requirements for recipients and test applicants for drugs. It would also end waivers to allow able-bodied adults without dependents to receive food stamps indefinitely.

According to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap), the food programme bill has tripled since 2004 and cost about $78bn last year.

The White House said in a statement the bill would damage "one of our nation's strongest defences against hunger and poverty".

The Congressional Budget Office says that if the bill were enacted, up to 3.8 million people could lose their benefits next year.

Full article

I agree recipients should have to be tested for drugs. I also agree that able-bodied adults without dependents should not receive food stamps indefinitely. There are people who truly need assistance but I also think there are many that abuse the system.

What are your thoughts on this?

 

[DrLeftover]

A meaningless gesture.

It cannot pass the Senate, and if it did, Mr. Obama would veto it and they do not have the votes to override.

And besides.....

The idea of testing welfare recipients for drugs has been labeled racist and hateful.


For my part:

If you are going to test anybody who gets a check for the government, start with the Politicians and work your way down.

 

[Nebulous]

I'm sure they could weed out some undeserving people's.