The Trump administration is proposing a rule change that would cut up to 3.1 million people from the food stamp program, saving taxpayers $2.5 billion annually.

The revised regulation would require people who currently receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, to undergo a separate income review to determine if they are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Currently, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials say, there are 43 states that automatically allow their residents to receive SNAP assistance if they are receiving TANF benefits.

“Some states are taking advantage of loopholes that allow people to receive the SNAP benefits who would otherwise not qualify and for which they are not entitled,” Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue revealed in a conference call.

 

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“This proposal will save money and preserve the integrity of the program,” Perdue argued, adding that “SNAP should be a temporary safety net.”

Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) said the rule change is an attempt by the administration to “circumvent Congress and make harmful changes to nutrition assistance that have been repeatedly rejected on a bipartisan basis.”

It’s the Economy Stupid

The Trump administration has argued that a booming economy has helped lower the unemployment rate to full employment, making food stamp assistance less necessary.

When Barack Obama entered office in 2009, about 33 million Americans were enrolled in SNAP. By 2013, that number had shot up to 48 million.

Two million Americans dropped from the food stamp program during Trump’s first year as President, which at that time was the lowest point in six years.

Should President Trump Cut Food Stamps?

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The President announced earlier this month that “Food Stamp participation hits 10 year low,” a comment verified by left-leaning fact-checking website, Politifact.

During his State of the Union address, President Trump bragged about the roaring economy and it’s role in changing how more people are working instead of relying on food stamps.

“Wages are rising at the fastest pace if decades and growing for blue-collar workers who I promised to fight for, they’re growing faster than anyone else thought possible,” he said to uproarious applause. “Nearly five million Americans have been lifted off food stamps.”

Work is the single most important way to escape poverty. Your President is proving that.

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