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Farm Bill Cuts Food Stamps, But Wont Hit Florida Too Hard

James Good via Flickr

The Food Stamp program will be getting an $8 billion cut over the next decade. Most of the money was taken from an initiative called “Heat and Eat” which helps people, mostly in northern areas, afford food and utilities, so South Floridians won’t feel a lot of those cuts. But the bill also prevents the Agriculture Department from spending money to advertise the assistance program.

Democratic Congressman Ted Deutch of Broward and Palm Beach Counties said this bill saves money at the expense of the poor. He was the only South Floridian to vote against the bill."A lot of people have suggested to me this really is about compromise and I agree with them but legislation is not just about compromise, it is about priorities", said Deutch.

"Well look this is not a perfect farm bill but we needed a farm bill", responded Democratic Representative Joe Garcia in Miami-Dade County voted to pass the bill. "We keep food stamps in the Farm Bill we don't keep as much as we had before and hopefully there will be way to put it back but clearly this is the best we could get."

To offset some of the hardship on lower income families, the bill increases funding for food banks by $200 million. The Farm Bill will now move on to the Senate for final approval - where it is expected to pass.