Butterfield Fights Drastic Cuts to the Food Stamp Program Proposed in the U.S. Farm Bill 06/18/13 WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) introduced five amendments to H.R. 1947, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 (Farm Bill) to block an attempt at rolling back federal services to seniors, low-income families, and the poor--impacting more than two million Americans. If adopted, three of Butterfield’s amendments would restore the proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) commonly known as food stamps. The current House version of the Farm Bill, led by Republicans, seeks to drastically slash SNAP funding by $20.5 billion, largely through preventing states from enrolling people in SNAP under categorical eligibility. Presently, states are able to enroll residents in SNAP if they are already receiving certain benefits. However, the Farm Bill seeks to stop that. One of Butterfield’s amendments would continue to allow states to exercise this option. “We are witnessing a rising tide against seniors, low-income families, and the poor on both the state and federal levels,” said Butterfield. “In North Carolina, it is the Republican-led state legislature’s refusal to expand Medicaid—a decision that leaves 500,000 North Carolinians without health insurance. In Washington, D.C., it is the Republican-led House attempting to cut SNAP funding that goes to provide food for the poor. I will not stand idly by and watch the Republican-led House systematically disenfranchise people who are struggling to stay afloat. My amendments would preserve funding for SNAP and its eligibility requirements.” Butterfield’s other amendments would add personal hygiene products to the list of items that can be purchased with food stamps, reverse funding cuts in nutrition education, and preserve the federal government’s ability to use federal funds to inform prospective recipients of SNAP. The Congressman’s final amendment to the Farm Bill would authorize the U.S. Department of Agriculture to explore creating a graduate-level fellowship program to conduct research and propose solutions to the growing problem of food insecurity both domestically and internationally. The fellowship program would be named for Butterfield’s predecessor and longtime anti-hunger advocate, former Congresswoman Eva Clayton (D-NC). The House begins debate on the Farm Bill today.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:39:04 +0000
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