Trump Administration Cuts Food Stamp Program For 3.1 Million People To Save $25 Billion Over 10 Years - Why?

Source: WRIC

For a self-proclaimed successful businessman, President Trump severely lacks an understanding of how to represent the entire U.S. population.  Why?  Because if President Trump really was representing all Americans, then depriving 3.1 million U.S. residents would not be pushed by the U.S.D.A.-- under his administration. Notably, while boosting the annual military budget an exorbitant amount while saving little by depriving 3.1 million U.S. residents of food stamps.



Reporting from 'Politico Agriculture' briefly shows the small savings for the Country while potentially starving 3.1 million people:

LATEST FOOD STAMP CRACKDOWN MAY WORSEN HUNGER: Perdue's newest plan to rein in who's eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program may "negatively impact food security" among low-income households, according to the department's own cost-benefit analysis posted Tuesday. USDA data shows that nearly 12 percent of American households are already food insecure, meaning they don't always have the resources to access enough food, reports Pro Ag's Helena Bottemiller Evich.

Perdue's proposal targets what's known as broad-based categorical eligibility, which allows households with assets or income above existing limits for SNAP to qualify for the program if they receive some kind of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families service. Perdue argued this option is being used by states "without restraint."

What are the income limits? The typical gross income limit for SNAP is 130 percent of the federal poverty level, which is about $27,000 for a family of three. Through broad-based categorical eligibility, many states can offer assistance to households with gross income of up to 200 percent of the poverty level, or about $42,000 for a family of three. (For perspective, farmers earning up to $900,000 a year in adjusted gross income can qualify for direct subsidies.)

Overall, tightening the policy would cut 3.1 million people from the program, saving taxpayers about $1.9 billion a year, the department's analysis found. USDA officials told reporters on Monday that savings would total $2.5 billion a year. A department spokesperson clarified late Tuesday the higher estimate comes from the department's 10-year projections.

A hit to grocery stores: The plan would also mean grocery retailers would lose $3 billion annually in sales, according to USDA's analysis. That counters what Perdue told reporters on Tuesday. When asked whether he expected a drop in grocery store sales, Perdue said he didn't because the people who would lose SNAP benefits have other resources at their disposal. He referenced the so-called Minnesota Millionaire, Rob Undersander, who attended a House Agriculture subcommittee hearing last month.

Wow.



To put this into perspective, take the $2.5 billion saved annually for 10 years to total $25 billion in savings to deprive 3.1 million U.S. residents of food assistance.  When I read the news, the following question came to mind: How does $25 billion in savings over 10 years compare with a single year budget increase for military spending under the Trump administration?



According to the Wikipedia page for Military Budgets, last fiscal year's proposed increase of funding for the military was $54 billion.  OMG.



Yes, the total amount of proposed savings by cutting off 3.1 million U.S. residents from food stamps over 10 years equals just under a half of the proposed annual increase in defense spending for the fiscal year 2018.  Where are the priorities of this nation at the moment?  Why would we deprive 3.1 million U.S. residents of food stamps to save so little over 10 years?



These savings do not include the cost to grocery retailers -- which have been estimated to be around $3 billion in annual sales.  Who is supporting this giant cut?



These questions have yet to be answered.  The items can be added to other questions to which we deserve answers too.  This behavior is un-American.  Save money by depriving 3.1 million people of food assistance. Are you serious President Trump?  Each of us should be contacting our elected representatives in Congress and express our disinterest in supporting this matter.   We (as a nation) are better than this.



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