Congress Reaches Agreement to Cut Food Stamps in Farm Program and to Increase Benefits to Large Ag Interests

War On Poverty Loses Another Battle

It is clear now that the Republican Party has decided that a public relations campaign that argues they are for alleviating poverty has been developed to try and cover the fact that they are taking action after action to increase the deprivation and suffering in low income families.  The latest in this shameful chapter of American history, a cut of $9 billion in Food Stamps over the next 10 years.

WASHINGTON — Disagreements over a program to help dairy producers when milk prices drop have emerged as a major sticking point in negotiations on a new farm bill, which had been expected to be wrapped up this week. But lawmakers appear to have reached an agreement on cuts to the food stamp program, which is part of the farm bill and had been the most contentious issue in efforts to pass the legislation.

People close to the negotiations said on Thursday that a deal had been reached to cut about $9 billion over 10 years from the food stamp program, formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The cuts are more than twice the $4 billion approved by the Democratic-led Senate in May, but far less than the nearly $40 billion in cuts passed by the Republican-controlled House in its bill.

The Democrats of course share the blame, but the cruel fact of politics in early 2014 is that the Democrats just do not have the political capital or muscle to prevent massive cuts in nutrition assistance for low income families.

The Farm Bill even without the cuts in nutrition assistance is still an abominable piece of legislation, a law that belongs in the Shame Hall of Fame.  With the open support of conservatives it is just a plain government handout to well connected ag interests.  It is garbage pure and simple.