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On Wednesday, February, 25, the House Agriculture Committee began its full-scale review of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP is the largest welfare program in both the number of recipients and the amount of spending, yet it lacks a clear mission, and data reveals it is not helping lift people out of poverty. The committee heard from Center on Budget and Policy Priorities President Robert Greenstein and Douglas J. Besharov, Professor at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy. Besharov pointed that that while the economy has changed and other welfare programs have adjusted to meet changing needs, SNAP has not.
On Thursday, February, 26, the Nutrition Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-2), held its first review of SNAP diving into specifics on the characteristics and entry/exit dynamics of the SNAP population. Over the coming months the full committee and subcommittee will continue to hold hearings to feature a range of stakeholders including pasts and present recipients, non-profits, states and localities, the food industry, nutrition experts, and more in order to examine various aspects of SNAP.
Must Reads
Republicans Put On A Nice Face When It Comes To Food Stamps: Huffington Post
Republicans in the House of Representatives on Wednesday started in on a "top-to-bottom" review the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known by its former name, food stamps -- but they say they're not out to cut benefits.
Vilsack assures lawmakers dietary guidelines will focus on nutrition: Agri-Pulse
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack assured lawmakers he would be personally involved in writing the government's new dietary guidelines and indicated he would keep them narrowly focused on nutrition.
West Coast Port Employers, Union Reach Tentative Five-Year Agreement: Wall Street Journal
West Coast port employers and their union said they reached a tentative five-year agreement on a new contract late Friday. The pact brings an end to a nine-month standoff that resulted in significant slowdowns at the ports.
Members in the Media
Rep. Walorski:House lawmakers return from Gitmo inspection
Rep. Abraham: A visit with Louisiana Rep. Ralph Abraham
Looking Ahead
Thursday, March 5, 2015 - 9:15 a.m.
1300 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C.
Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry - Public Hearing
RE: To review the definition of "waters of the United States" proposed rule and its impact on rural America
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