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Hartzler says bigger nutrition reform/cuts are ok

Missouri Congresswoman Vicki Hartzler says she would support food stamp reforms with cuts as high as $40 Billion dollars in a stand-alone bill or in a farm bill. Hartzler supported the $20 Billion in nutrition program cuts in the House Farm Bill that failed to pass.

The Republican, and only Missouri member of the House Ag Committee, says the House nutrition reform bill that will likely be put forth makes sense because it contains a reasonable work requirement tied to food stamp benefits, “But, the work requirements include not just working on a job for 20 hours a week but for also going to work training programs for 20 hours a week would qualify. And, volunteering for 20 hours a week would qualify as work.”

Hartzler tells Brownfield Ag News, the requirements would be for able-bodied adults.  But, we asked, what about other food stamp beneficiaries? “There’ll be no changes for them and it’s very important that the public understands that – that Senior Citizens, the disabled and children would have no work requirements put on them. And, so, it would be only able-bodied adults without dependents that the states would have the option of it. So, the federal government, we’re not mandating this at all. We would just allow the state legislatures IF they wanted to,” Hartzler answered.

The U.S. House separated nutrition from farm policy and passed a farm bill only piece of legislation.  Congress returns from break in September with only nine working days on the calendar. Many says that’s not enough time to complete a five-year farm bill.

Brownfield spoke with Representative Hartzler last week at the Missouri State Fair.

AUDIO: Rep. Vicki Hartzler (R-MO)

  • It’s too bad we don’t have more common sense, limited government legislators like Rep. Hartzler in Washington.

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