Increased work requirements? Battle over food stamp qualifications threatens to derail farm bill

The federal farm bill, a periodic and sprawling reauthorization of an array of government agricultural and rural development programs, is facing a growing battle on Capitol Hill over proposals to stiffen work requirements for food stamp recipients.

The Republican draft of the farm bill would increase work and training requirements on adults receiving benefits from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, informally known as food stamps.

Louisiana’s lone member of a congressional agriculture committee, U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham, R-Alto, is a strong supporter of adding the work requirements and has accused Democrats of “spreading misinformation” about how the requirements might impact families.

“Despite their claims, no child, caretaker of a young child, senior citizen or disabled person will lose SNAP benefits,” said Abraham, who represents a sprawling, mostly rural northwest Louisiana congressional district.

“No one will ever break the cycle of poverty by relying on the government for a handout, but this bill gives folks an incentive to enter the workforce,” Abraham added.

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