Democrats protecting unearned entitlements.
Via Daily Caller:
Democrats in the House of Representatives are stalling negotiations on the Farm Bill, the massive bill that authorizes spending agriculture programs, over potential changes to the food stamps program.
The 19 Democrats the House Committee on Agriculture said in a letter sent Thursday they had “grown increasingly concerned about the nutrition policies being pushed by the majority,” particularly those regarding the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) or food stamps.
“Items you have broadly outlined in your meetings with us and that have been reported in the press are a significant cause of concern,” the letter, released by Agri-Pulse, said.
Food stamps are a critical part of the Farm Bill, and usually serves a bipartisan function by attracting Democratic support to legislation that also governs farm subsidies. Usually SNAP has support from both Republicans and Democrats, but with President Donald Trump’s administration proposing deep cuts to the program and changes to the structure, Democrats have become worried.
“My next steps are clear and I will not be continuing negotiations with the chairman per the unanimous request of all Democratic members of the committee,” Democratic Minnesota Rep. Collin Peterson, the ranking member on the Agriculture Committee, told Politico.[…]
The SNAP program exploded under former President Barack Obama during the Great Recession. The cost and number of participants has steadily decreased over the past four years due in part to reinstatement of work requirements for able-bodied individuals without dependents, requirements that the Obama administration waived.