USDA on Friday sent a letter to states asking them to hold off “until further notice” on starting the process that distributes benefits at the first of the month.
Here is the key part: The Agriculture Department declined to give details on why the automatic funding would not continue. In the 2013 government shutdown, food stamp dollars were not affected at all. In actuality, only 18% of the government was halted, mainly showy stuff like stopping vets from visiting war memorials in DC.
Democratic lawmakers, and only Dems, were briefed by the department. They USDA claims it does not have enough money in reserve to pay a full month’s benefits and a partial government shutdown would affect recipients in states that pay out their benefits at the first of the month. They said the department had extra dollars two years ago but that this time around it does not have enough additional reserves. Interesting since Obama crowed that his IRS brought in record tax dollars lately.
Weak Republican leaders in Congress are racing to avert a government shutdown next week when the budget year ends and a temporary funding bill is required to keep agencies like the all- important Planned Parenthood operating. The process has been complicated because of the battle over federal funding for Planned Parenthood; especially the group’s involvement in the practice of procuring tissue from aborted fetuses for research purposes.
Source: Breitbart
Democrats concerned about SNAP dollars should vote for the Republican Senate bill that would keep the government operating through Dec. 11 and block Planned Parenthood’s federal funds for a year. Democrats are expected to block that measure later this week since they want to be on record as supporting abortion death, assisted suicide and end of life counsel to the elderly.
How many “Will Work For Food” (sign holders) people are really going to try to get a job? NONE…as they are used to free handouts.
I hope that I am not one of them who loses food stamp benefits. On my elderly income, I just about make ends meet, now. The cut backs made life a bit more difficult. I have to buy special foods because of medical problems. There is no way to stretch the dollar as it stands. I think the government intends to neglect the elderly and newborns.
If they went through the welfare and food stamp rolls, and cut out just a portion of the fraud, they would save billions. Let them do that during the government shut down THAT WILL BE DONE BY OBAMA HAVING HIS LITTLE TEMPER TANTRUM FOR NOT GETTING HIS WAY AS USUAL.
I think we need to go back to the commodities program. Go get your commodities each month and it’s done. No more store having to tell them what they can not buy.