WASHINGTON – The House voted Thursday evening to cut nearly $40 billion in the next decade from the country's food stamp assistance program.

The 217-210 vote was a major victory for Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia and largely cast along party lines. All House Democrats and 15 Republicans voted against slashing the budget for the program.

Despite its passage in the House, the bill is unlikely to make it through the Democrat-controlled Senate.

The bill's savings would be achieved by allowing states to put broad new work requirements in place for many food stamp recipients and to test applicants for drugs. The bill also would end government waivers that have allowed able-bodied adults who don't have dependents to receive food stamps indefinitely.

Conservatives have said the program has become bloated. More than 47 million Americans are now on food stamps, and the program's cost more than doubled in the last five years as the economy struggled through the Great Recession.

Finding a compromise -- and the votes -- to scale back the feeding program has been difficult.

Conservatives have insisted on larger cuts, Democrats have opposed any cuts, and moderate Republicans from areas with high food stamp usage have been wary of efforts to slim the program.

"I think the cuts are too drastic and too draconian," said Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y. He represents Staten Island, which was hard hit by Hurricane Sandy last year. "Those that really need the program will suffer," he said.

Ahead of Thursday's vote, House GOP leaders reached out to moderates to ensure their support while anti-hunger groups have similarly worked to garner opposition to the cuts.

The food stamp legislation is the House's effort to finish work on a wide-ranging farm bill, which has historically included both farm programs and food stamps. The House Agriculture Committee approved a combined bill earlier this year, but it was defeated on the floor in June after conservatives revolted, saying the cuts to food stamps weren't high enough. That bill included around $2 billion in cuts annually.

After the farm bill defeat, Republican leaders split the legislation in two and passed a bill in July that included only farm programs. They promised the food stamp bill would come later, with deeper cuts.

Republicans have emphasized that the bill targets able-bodied adults who don't have dependents. And they say the broader work requirements in the bill are similar to the 1996 welfare law that led to a decline in people receiving that government assistance.

"Politically it's a great issue," says Rep. Tim Huelskamp, R-Kan., one of the conservatives who has pushed for the larger cuts. "I think most Americans don't think you should be getting something for free, especially for the able-bodied adults."

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Tuesday that Democrats are united against the bill.

"Maybe I'm just hoping for divine intervention, but I really do believe that there are enough Republicans that will not identify themselves with such a brutal cut in feeding the American people," Pelosi said at a news conference.

On Wednesday, President Obama threatened to veto any bill that made deeper cuts than the Senate version.

They can't defund food stamps. Where will the non-working get money for their illegal drugs?

A friend of mine's daughter is on food stamps simply because, with medicaid, she doesn't have to work. When she needs cigarette money she swaps food stamp food at a "two for one" discount for cash. I said "you got to be kidding!". She said no, it was standard practice. A food stamp holder calls someone to get a grocery list, uses the food stamp credit card to pay for it and then swaps the food for half it's value in cash.

they are breaking the law

•76% of SNAP households included a child, an elderly person, or a disabled person. These vulnerable households receive 83% of all SNAP benefits.

•The average SNAP household has a gross monthly income of $744; net monthly income of $338 after the standard deduction and, for certain households, deductions for child care, medical expenses, and shelter costs; and countable resources of $331, such as a bank account.[iii

but going after those exceptions who are 'able bodied' and with no dependents to keep them from having 'indefinite' benefits,, is really a non issue,,,

It is my understanding that some members of Congress want SNAP recipients to undergo random drug testing.

probably will, their prerogative to spend unnecessary funds

if Florida is any example, they will certainly be spending more in a month on testing than they will be saving that month regjecting the drug users,,,


About 233,000 Floridians applied for cash assistance in 2009-10, according to statistics kept by the Department of Children and Families. During May 2011, 93,170 Floridians received cash assistance, a drop of 8.3 percent from a year ago. Payments can range from $100 to $200 a month per person.

Florida has tried to initiate drug testing before. The Legislature in 1998 approved a drug-testing pilot project for people receiving temporary cash assistance. But the results were underwhelming. Of the 8,797 applicants screened for drugs, only 335 (3.8 percent) showed evidence of having a controlled substance in their systems and failed the test, the Orlando Sentinel reported. The pilot project cost the state $2.7 million (or about $90 a test).

http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2011/jun/09/rick-scott/rick-scott-says-welfare-recipients-are-more-likely/


doing the math,, they spent 2.7 million , to avoid about 33.8-67.6 thousand,,,,,in payments,,,

Many low income families and Elderly people receive Food stamps. This cut will hurt more than people using illegal drugs. Duh...

You might try backing up your statements before spewing false assumptions out as truths!

Duh.

you really think they care about breaking the Law!

Arizona authorities have broken up a massive food stamp fraud ring in Phoenix and seized almost $700,000 in cash.

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/09/04/Massive-Food-Stamp-Fraud-Ring-Busted-In-Arizona

Now, oBarry gonna be hatin on old Unca Joe agin'.

This is truly a wonderful country, and our heroic men and women in the highest levels of government deserve our complete respect and support for the job they are doing. May we all one day have children based on their value for welfare credit and may we all receive food stamps, possibly tobacco stamps, alchohol stamps, and every other type of stamp. I love this country and all it does for me and my fellow countrymen and countrywomen. Who cares if taxes increase or no one works ever again, and may our military men and women be sent wherever necessary for our government officials to be able to "save face." God Bless the Utopian States of America!

do you think those intent on committing fraud will be stopped because you require work or drug tests?

I Think we could just stop at making sure there are jobs that can support people

than we don't have to worry about the assistance many find themselves in need of

and alcohol, nor tobacco, are necessities,, comparing them to food is kind of beyond silliness

and if you research,, you will find those on welfare don't on average have anymore kids than those who aren't on welfare,,,


but you are right, we are blessed, for now, to live in a country that tries to treat the 'least' among them with some ounce of compassion or respect

"and if you research,, you will find those on welfare don't on average have anymore kids than those who aren't on welfare,,,"

But the ones not on welfare have a mommie and daddy to provide for them. The ones on welfare have no family unit thus they are on welfare.

Like I need to back up my opinions nothing much on this forum are All real facts.

no kidding, but the implication is the motivation for having children is the money

when there is no evidence the childbearing trend is higher in those receiving assistance