Why Is a Senate Democrat Agreeing to Another $8 Billion in Food Stamp Cuts?

[xchrom]

http://www.thenation.com/blog/177495/while-obama-talks-poverty-stabenow-agrees-8-billion-more-snap-cuts


Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), the chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, listens to testimony from witnesses in hearings in 2012 (Reuters/Gary Cameron).

On the same day that President Obama eloquently described his vision of an economy defined by economic mobility and opportunity for all, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow was busy cutting a deal with House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas to slice another $8 to $9 billion from food stamps (SNAP), according to a source close to the negotiations.

“One study shows that more than half of Americans will experience poverty at some point during their adult lives,” said President Obama. “Think about that. This is not an isolated situation.… That’s why we have nutrition assistance or the program known as SNAP, because it makes a difference for a mother who’s working, but is just having a hard time putting food on the table for her kids.”

Indeed it does, but the chairwoman consistently fails to get the memo.

There are currently 47 million Americans who turn to food stamps to help make ends meet. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, nearly 72 percent are in families with children; and one-quarter of SNAP participants are in households with seniors or people with disabilities. Further, 91 percent of SNAP benefits go to households with incomes below the poverty line, and 55 percent to households below half of the poverty line (about $9,500 annually for a family of three).

[Mass]

1. Because it will be better than no SNAP funds?

If the point is that it should be higher, I agree. But this is a fight we fought months ago. The Senate bill already includes a $4 billion cut. The House bill includes a $40 billion cut (thanks to House Dems refusing a better deal and House Republicans being their usual jerks). I am sure the person who wrote this piece applauded at the time the decision of the Democratic caucus. Those who deal with SNAP funds in general did not. They knew we would get at something like that.

So, the reality of negotiation is that they have to haggle on the basis of 2 bills that cut SNAP funds. There is exactly ZERO chance that we will not cut SNAP funds. The issue is by how much. I will be happy if Stabenow succeeds to keep the cut in single digits.

Once again, Dems and Republicans (ALL OF THEM) have screwed poor people up. But that happened much earlier this year, and every single Democrat participated in the decision.

[TBF]

4. Rec this post -

"Once again, Dems and Republicans (ALL OF THEM) have screwed poor people up. But that happened much earlier this year, and every single Democrat participated in the decision."

This is the very sad bottom line. At least when I was young there were manufacturing jobs in this country. Average folks (like my dad for example), could graduate high school, get a job, do piece work for extra (merit based - they would get paid a higher hourly wage for hitting production numbers) and therefore feed themselves/families.

Now we have folks working in retail/fast food for a very minimum wage that barely allows them to survive.

[Eleanors38]

2. She may be afraid if those who use power effectively.

[AuntFester]

3. "A Stone In Every Pot"

[KG]

5. because...um...uh....Nader!!!

[xchrom]

6. !

[mstinamotorcity2]

7. I don't know why anyone would think cause she is a DEM

she would be any different. One thing is for sure. Snap benefits will be on the chopping block. But if you don't stand up for some benefits they will cut as much as they can. And I see this as the point they use so milk prices won't go up. I once had respect for this woman, but as I learned more about her I do not feel the same way. And got her ass on favorites just so I can kite her an email when she pisses me off. Levin ass too. Have no love for either of them. They want our vote but put nothing in my community.