Page 16 - Snap Program News Today

With time running out to reach agreement on a farm bill some last minute horse trading may have put a deal within reach. one of the four lead negotiator on the committee democrat collin peterson said one of the main sticking points the size of the cuts to the s.n.a.p. program, also known as food stamps, has been agreed to. entitled, how democrats plan to cut food stamps without enraging their base, $8 million over 10 years. the savings achieved targeting a loophole in low in come home energy ass...

Pressure. it seems like in this case, so far thats working. it seems like its moving in the right direction. but until hes out of there, weve got to continue the really determined efforts to release him that his family has undertaken as well as our government. >> all right, senator, im going to change gears for a minute to the fight over the food stamp program. food pantry employees say theyve seen a rush of new clients. one virginia food bank reported a 40% jump in families seeking help this ye...

Initially they came with $20 billion of cuts over the next decade. >> then they went to 40. >> then they went to 40. i think this is a big issue for them. i think there are many that dont support many of the provisions that not only help those who need assistance, but actually help the growers that are so important. i mean, the farm bill is really a food bill. it supports many of the growers that produce the products that are made available to our economy and then also supports the tens of milli...

You have high cost of living areas like my own area of new york, youre making minimum wage. you simply cannot make ends meet. >> so the way a lot of people make ends meet is food stamps and they help to feed one in seven americans. right now those folks on food stamps are waiting to hear how much theyll be cut. as you well know this is the central issue in negotiations over the farm bill. the house wants to slash nearly $40 billion. democrats on the senate side a $4 billion reduction. republican...

Infractions could lose at least a year of eligibility and in the worst-case scenario, those with multiple violations will lose their benefits permanently. adding to the vulnerability of those already 47 million americans who may already be missing meals due to the november 1 cut in food assistance from the s.n.a.p. program. joining me now from new orleans is someone who works every day to help fill that gap for hungry family, natalie jayrow, the president and ceo of second harvest food bank. nic...

Level is something that has to be corrected. we have an opportunity to do that in the farm bill in the conference. i hope that we get it done. >> and senator, with regard to the future of the s.n.a.p. program with the two houses of congress divided on either a $39 billion cut or about a $4 billion cut, is there a way to reconcile those two numbers? >> let me remind everyone that the senate bill was a compromise, a compromise between democrats and republicans. it was a true bipartisan reform of t...

Grio perryjuni. perry, what is behind these cuts to the snap program? >> whats behind them is there was an increase in snap funding because of the stimulus of 2009. and that extension that increase has ended now. neither party really fought to keep this up. its not as though the republicans didnt push to keep this money up. white house and democrats didnt either. you basically had a situation in washington where neither party -- this wasnt a divide in the issue but both parties sort of tacitly a...

Recovery and reinvestment act? well, it included a boost in food stamp benefits and the money has run dry. when we talk cuts in food stamps, republicans are normally blamed. this time, the finger is pointed at the white house. it sounded like a great idea when it was launched. a program aimed in part at making school lunches healthier. >> we are determined to finally take on one of the most serious threats to their future. thats the epidemic of childhood obesity. >> reporter: to fund the war on ...

Its important to point out why, why did this happen today? why did this expire? >> it goes back to a broken promise. you know, couple years ago, we needed to find a way or the president needed to find a way to have a real driver. they were looking to try to improve the nutritional value of school meals. and so, in order to get everyone to agree, well take it from the snap program. the extra that the program was getting. but then they were told, but it will never happen. >> right. >> the money wi...

Thank you. >> thank you. millions of fellow americans just went off of a hunger cliff and the gop congress, oh, theyre home enjoying a good meal. >> now, food banks and assistance centers in the bay area expect another boost in traffic. >> the cuts affect moms and dads trying to keep food on the table. >> we estimate to see an increase volume of people at the food pantries earlier in the month than usual. >> kids think about food but not learning. >> kids at the pantries and kitchens rely on t...