GOP looks to tighten food stamp eligibility in Farm Bill

Posted on April 14, 2018

*U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis suggested employers looking to work would benefit from stricter eligibility requirements for SNAP benefits in the proposed Farm Bill. (WJBC file photo)*

By Eric Stock

WASHINGTON – Republicans in Congress are looking to make big changes to the Farm Bill.

GOP Congressman Rodney Davis of Taylorville told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin the House Agriculture Committee on which he serves is expected to review changes next week that would call for stricter work and eligibility requirements for those on the food stamps through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott’s interview with Davis on WJBC.

“Our goal is to do one thing and that is get people off of SNAP benefits,” Davis said. “We have historically low unemployment but we still have historic high government benefits usage. That shouldn’t be the case.

Davis added employers needing more workers would benefit.

“We need to invest those SNAP dollars not kicking people out of the program who need but while they are on it lets’ also make sure they get training for jobs that are available at places like (Caterpillar) in Decatur or Bridgestone (in Normal),”

The current Farm Bill expires at the end of the year. Davis says those changes would save taxpayers $111 billion.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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