The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill last week that could cut about $40 billion from the food stamp program throughout the next 10 years. The program currently costs about $80 billion each year.

The bill states that those who rely on food stamps will no longer receive aid if they can’t find a job or if they enroll in a work-training program in three months. The changes apply to those who don’t have minor dependents and are between the ages of 18-50. The food stamp bill still has to pass in the Senate.

The Daily Orange spoke with three professors who explained the bill, the current food stamp program and the implications of both.

The Daily Orange: What’s the significance of this bill, how does it work and what does it mean now that it’s been passed?

Christopher Faricy, an assistant professor of political science in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs:

The House of Representatives — controlled by the Republican Party — voted to cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The vote cuts SNAP by $39 billion in 10 years, a 5 percent cut to the current program.

Catherine Bertini, a professor of practice in public administration and international affairs in Maxwell:

Every five years, Congress reauthorizes what’s known as the Farm Bill. Traditionally, this law includes support for domestic assistance for farmers, as well as food assistance for poor Americans. This year, the Senate passed a farm bill with modest cuts to SNAP benefits and significant changes in farm program support.

Sarah Hamersma, an assistant professor of public administration and international affairs in Maxwell:

Something important to note is that it has only passed in the House.  It seems unlikely that the same bill will make it through the Senate. And in any case, [President Barack] Obama has threatened to veto the bill.  So in the end, the main significance of the bill may simply be as a symbolic effort by one group of politicians to express a desire to cut spending in an area where spending has increased.

The D.O.: How many people will be affected by these cuts? Who will be affected the most?

C.F.: The groups most directly, but not exclusively, targeted are 1.7 million childless adults, 2.1 million people with extremely low incomes, barely above the SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) limits, including 210,000 children who will lose access to free school meals.

C.B.: If the House bill becomes law, CBO (Congressional Budget Office) estimates at least 3.8 million would lose benefits.

S.H.: Based on CBO reports, the bill is expected to reduce spending by $39 billion over the next 10 years.

The D.O.: Some have complained that the food stamp system has a fraud problem. Do you think that’s true? Does this bill passing do anything to change that problem?

C.F.: The proponents of the cut argue that they are including work requirements. Although, according to the federal government, at least 80 percent of the households that receive food stamps have at least one working adult.

S.H.: I don’t believe this bill addresses fraud — it instead explicitly changes the existing rules to restrict eligibility.

Published on September 26, 2013 at 1:00 am

Contact Brett: blsamuel@syr.edu | @Brett_Samuels27