Food stamps saved from US Senate budget cut plan

[UpInArms]

http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=2005-10-18T180909Z_01_N18328822_RTRIDST_0_FOOD-USDA-CUTS.XML

WASHINGTON, Oct 18 (Reuters) - The federal food stamp
program for poor Americans is no longer targeted for cuts under
a revised plan to reduce Agriculture Department spending, the
head of the Senate Agriculture Committee said on Tuesday after
key senators from both parties objected to the proposed cuts.

The panel initially targeted the food stamp program for
$574 million, or one-fifth, of the spending cuts projected to
total $3 billion over five years.

But the panel's chairman, U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss,
removed the food stamp cuts "in response to the wishes of
several of the committee's senators," said a spokesman.

Chambliss, a Georgia Republican, told reporters on Monday
that he heard objections "on a bipartisan basis" to cutting
food stamps. His package initially included cuts proposed by
President (George W.) Bush in February. The White House said it
would weed out recipients who were not eligible for food stamps
but who were enrolled automatically when they qualified for
other welfare programs.

Missouri Republican Jim Talent was the most vocal among
committee members who opposed cutting food stamps, one staffer
said. The proposed cuts, in the wake of the devastation wrought
by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, also drew widespread public
criticism.

...more...

Well, blow me over!

[CottonBear]

1. I wonder who threatened my Senator, Saxby "Sack of Shit" Chambliss?

"But the panel's chairman, U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss,
removed the food stamp cuts "in response to the wishes of
several of the committee's senators," said a spokesman."

This is the only good thing he's ever done since he smeared Cleland and stole the election thanks to Diebold. :(

[Medical Speaking]

5. Chambiss

What a piece of work this idiot is, what really pissed me off about your Sen was when he attacked Cleland about his Viet-Nam service just like they did we Kerry. What a disgrace to this nation to attack any Vet.

I am a Viet-Nam Vet myself.

Semper Fi

[CottonBear]

7. Saxby Chambliss will burn in hell for what he did to Max Cleland.

Thanks for your service Medical Speaking. :patriot:
I know a woman who was a drill sergeant at Parris Island, SC.
You Marines are tough as nails! Semper Fi.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. I called my conman about the cuts yesterday

and his congressional aide was spooked. I mean really spooked. His voice was a bit shaky and he kept stumbling over his words. I took that as a good sign that his repuke boss had been hearing a lot from angry cnostituents.

[expatriot]

3. Wow... Republicans why so scared?

They backed down!!! woot!

[rodeodance]

4. so now they are good guys!! we saved food stamps!!

[Donna Zen]

6. Food is not a weapon.

That we threaten our own with starvation is disgusting.

[Metta]

8. I too wonder why. It's not for lack of mean spiritedness.

That's a fact.

[Tight_rope]

9. Many Katrina victims were and now are on food stamps...

With everything that ever owned gone (which wasn't much), it would be a political catastrophe for any politician to take away their food stamps.

[jwirr]

10. You are right it was "we the people" who lobbied

and called it that save the food stamp program not chambles! We may have been helped by the poll yesterday that asked if we thought that congress was hurting the middle class and ended in a huge majority that said yes. That ought to share the asses in congress.

[dflprincess]

11. Methinks the rats are heading for the portholes

No doubt tripping over each other to distance themselves from Bush and what he wants.

[lizziegrace]

12. But I bet

student loans will still get the axe. Keep everyone stupid. How on earth will my daughter get through college. I can only work 80 hours a week here... (and don't worry, she's working as much as she can too!)

LG