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News Summary: Deep divide in Congress over domestic food aid in massive farm bill

The Canadian PressMay 16, 2013 16:46
DOWNSIZING: The House and Senate Agriculture Committees have laid the groundwork this week for reducing the size of the federal food stamp program, approving farm bills that would shrink the aid and alter the way people qualify for it. BIG CUTS: The House legislation would cut food stamps about $2.5 billion a year, or about 3 per cent. A Senate bill would cut less than a fifth of that amount. Last year more than 47 million people used the program.

House panel set to OK cut in food stamps as conservatives demand that the program be trimmed

The Canadian PressMay 15, 2013 19:30
WASHINGTON - A House committee rebuffed Democratic efforts Wednesday to keep the $80 billion-a-year food stamp program whole, as debate on the farm bill turned into a theological discourse on helping the poor. The House bill would cut about $2.5 billion a year — or a little more than 3 per cent — from the food stamp program, which is used by 1 in 7 Americans. The committee rejected an amendment by Democrats to strike the cuts 27-17, keeping them in the bill.

UPDATE 1-US Republicans seek farm subsidy cuts, mull food stamps to cash

March 12, 2013 13:01
By Charles Abbott WASHINGTON, March 12 (Reuters) - Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday proposed $31 billion in farm subsidy cuts and the conversion of food stamps into a cash benefit program, as a way to help balance the federal budget in 10 years.

UPDATE 1-Report questions U.S. food stamp program's effectiveness

January 17, 2013 19:45
* USDA slow to adjust benefits to rising food costs * Government should consider access to food, preparation costs * Program under pressure for funding cuts By Lisa Lambert and Susan Heavey WASHINGTON, Jan 17 (Reuters) - A report by a panel of experts released on Thursday questioned whether the U.S. government's food stamp program adequately provides for healthy diets for the more than 47 million low-income people who rely on the benefit.

Report questions U.S. food stamp program's effectiveness

January 17, 2013 16:30
* USDA ignores some factors in determining benefits -report * Should consider access to food, preparation costs * Regional food price differences also an issue By Lisa Lambert and Susan Heavey WASHINGTON, Jan 17 (Reuters) - A report by a panel of experts released on Thursday questioned whether the U.S. government's food stamp program adequately provides for healthy diets for the more than 47 million low-income people who rely on the benefit.
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