House Republicans successfully passed a bill Thursday that will cut nearly $4 billion a year from food stamps, or $39 billion over a 10-year period, affecting more than 1 in 7 Americans.
The 217-210 vote was a win for conservatives over Democrats who united in opposition of the bill along with some GOP moderates who said the cut was too high.
The bill offers a number of new provisions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which would knock nearly 4 million people out of the program in 2014, and an average of nearly 3 million people each year through 2023.
One provision allows states to put broad new work requirements in place for many food stamp recipients and to test applicants for drugs. The bill also seeks to end government waivers that have allowed able-bodied adults without dependents to receive food stamps indefinitely. Instead of receiving waivers during times of high unemployment, those recipients would be limited to receive three months of benefits in a three-year period unless they work part-time, or are in a job-training program.
According to analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the bill allows states to cut people out of the program "even if they are actively looking for work, even if they're on a waiting list for job training, and even if they're working, but for less than 20 hours a week while they try to find a full-time job," reports MSNBC.
Fortunately for working class Americans and the working poor, the bill most likely will not pass in the Democratic-led Senate and President Obama has promised to veto the legislation if it ever reaches his desk.
"These cuts would affect a broad array of Americans who are struggling to make ends meet, including working families with children, senior citizens, veterans, and adults who are still looking for work," the White House said in a statement on the bill, CBS News reports.
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