Cooler but still well above normal this week

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Update: A previous version of this post included a graph that used 

 based on USDA data. stated the annual spending by the U.S. Government on SNAP. This updated post now features a graph from the Congressional Budget Office in adjusted dollars.

Congress is poised to cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly referred to as food stamps. In predictable form the House is seeking deeper cuts (more than $20 billion) while the Senate is pursuing smaller cuts (less than $4 billion) to SNAP over the next 10 years. The program is a large part of the Farm Bill.

The number of Americans receiving food stamps has grown since the Great Recession that began in 2007. In 2012, 47 million Americans received assistance at a cost to the government of $79 billion.

Additional information from the CBO about the SNAP program is available 

 at the numbers in nominal dollars based on 

 and provides additional context on the SNAP program in this infographic.

Today's Question: Is it a good idea to cut food stamps?

Minnesota News

Today's Question Blog

Michael Olson

Author

Update: A previous version of this post included a graph that used nominal dollars based on USDA data. stated the annual spending by the U.S. Government on SNAP. This updated post now features a graph from the Congressional Budget Office in adjusted dollars. Congress is poised to cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly…

Is it a good idea to cut food stamps?

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