Democrats angrily denounced a Republican-led effort to strip food stamp funding from the farm bill and vote on SNAP spending separately, with one even suggesting that biblical principles demand lawmakers provide the benefit.
SNAP stands for the federal government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
The move ultimately passed, 216-208, on predominantly party lines. But not before Democrats had their say.
Rep. Dave Loebsack called the action “unconscionable,” USA Today reported. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who heads the Senate Agriculture Committee, said it was “an insult to rural America.”
But Rep. Corrine Brown’s comments ratcheted the rhetoric to hotter levels.
“The Bible says, ’to whom much is given, much is required.’ This is a sad day in the House of Representatives. Shame on the Republicans. Shame on the House of Representatives,” she said, Breitbart reported.
SEE ALSO: House drops food stamps, passes ag-only farm bill
Rep. Kristi Noem, South Dakota Republican, said the House will likely vote on the stripped out portions of the bill that deal with food stamp funding “in the next week or two,” USA Today reported.
Nearly 48 million Americans are now on food stamps, the Food Research and Action Center reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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