By OLIVIA FRANCO, age 9
Mentored by SARAH TODD
The U.S. Department of Agriculture states that 45 percent of food stamp benefits go to children under the age of 18. PHOTO: Jaro Larnos
There is a conflict between politicians who want to cut funding for food stamp benefits and those who receive them.
The government distributes food stamps to people who do not have enough money to buy food. The U.S. Department of Agriculture states that 45 percent of food stamp benefits go to children under the age of 18.
Many members of Congress believe that food stamps is costing the federal budget too much, according to the New York Times.
In February, President Barack Obama signed a bill into law that would cut almost $9 million from the food stamp program. This translates into almost $90 less per month that each family will receive, according to MSNBC.
Without these food stamps some people might not be able to afford to feed their families or themselves. People who need food stamps usually are living in poverty or are unemployed.
Rafaela Rivera, a 34-year-old mother of two who is struggling to feed her family told the New York Times, “We’ll be on our last $3 at the end of the month.”
House Speaker Republican John Boehner told the New York Times, “This bill makes getting Americans back to work a priority again for our nation’s welfare programs.”
But Democratic Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut told NPR, “If you vote for this bill you will have to look them in the eye and tell them to go without food, that they have to endure hunger.”
