SNAP Benefits: Some Md. Lawmakers Push To Prevent Food Stamp Cuts
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ)—Some Maryland lawmakers are using Thanksgiving holiday week to turn attention to proposed cuts in the nation's food stamp program.
Political reporter Pat Warren has more on the effort to keep the food supply line open.
It's the week for a feast.
"This is our passion, to make sure that every American has food," said Rep. Elijah Cummings.
Lawmakers visited the Maryland Food Bank on Monday in support of a Senate bill protecting food stamps, the nation's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
"We use the term SNAP, that means, not snap your fingers. We wish we could, and pass the bill," said Sen. Barbara Mikulski.
The Democrat-controlled Senate proposes $4 billion in administrative cuts to the food stamp program, while the House bill cuts 10 times that, $40 billion in benefits over 10 years.
"Food is expensive," said Kedra Washington.
"Yeah, it is. We rely on them every month," said Tyrica Diggs.
"We never thought we would be here, we never," said Tracy Coleman.
The Sparrows Point shutdown forced Coleman's family to get help.
"The money that you are saving by using the SNAP benefit is going to pay for your car repair. It's going to pay for, in our case, our son Colton's asthma medicine. It's going to pay for toilet paper, something as basic as that," Coleman said.
About 800,000 Marylanders benefit from the food program.
A House and Senate conference committee is working on a compromise.
Maryland's Democrats voted against the $40 billion House cuts. District 1 Republican Andy Harris voted for it.
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