Senate Dems try to stop $11.9B in food stamp cuts

BY JACK TORRY
COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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WASHINGTON — After intense criticism from advocates for the poor, Senate Democrats yesterday were searching for a way to stop major food-stamp cuts by 2014.

To help finance a bill that would provide states with $26 billion for education and health programs, Senate Democrats agreed to cut $11.9 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps.

By a 61-38 vote, Senate Democrats ended Republican delaying tactics and cleared the way for final passage of the bill, which could take place today. But moments after the vote, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D., Ohio) and three other Democratic senators asked Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) about the food-stamp reductions.

“We're very concerned about what this means long-term to food stamps,” Mr. Brown said in a conference call with Ohio reporters. “[Mr. Reid] is committed to fixing it.”

Mr. Brown did not elaborate on how the cuts would be restored.

For more information see the Columbus Dispatch.

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