House rejects Farm Bill over Food Stamps

(WASHINGTON D.C.) – THE U-S HOUSE HAS REJECTED A 5-YEAR, HALF-TRILLION

DOLLAR FARM BILL WHICH WOULD HAVE CUT $2 BILLION ANNUALLY FROM FOOD STAMPS

AND LET STATES IMPOSE BROAD NEW WORK REQUIREMENTS ON THOSE WHO RECEIVE THEM.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS THAT THE VOTE THIS MORNING WAS 234-195

AGAINST THE BILL.   SIXTY-TWO REPUBLICANS VOTED NO, WHILE 24 DEMOCRATS VOTED IN

FAVOR OF THE BILL.

MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES HAD SIGNALED OPPOSITION TO THE FOOD STAMP

CUTS IN THE BILL WITH MANY REPUBLICANS SAYING THAT THE CUTS WEREN’T ENOUGH

AND SOME LIBERALS OPPOSING ANY REDUCTIONS IN FOOD STAMPS.

THE COST OF THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM HAS DOUBLED IN COST OVER THE

LAST FIVE YEARS TO ALMOST $80 BILLION A YEAR AND NOW HELPS FEED 1 IN 7 AMERICANS.

LIBERALS SAY THE CUTS COULD HAVE REMOVED AS MANY AS 2-MILLION RECIPIENTS

FROM THE ROLLS.