Leahy Presses to Add Food Stamp Component to Stimulus Package

[cal04]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20080124/pl_usnw/leahy_presses_to_add_food_stamp_component_to_stimulus_package

In a letter to the Senates leadership Thursday, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) urged inclusion of a temporary expansion of Food Stamp benefits in the economic stimulus package now under development in Congress.

A stimulus package provides an opportunity to give a boost to the economy and at the same time deliver meaningful assistance to those that will be most impacted by a possible economic downturn, Leahy wrote.

Food Stamps are a key element of the safety net for low-income Americans, providing monthly benefits to help individuals and families afford to buy food for the dinner table. More than 25 million Americans receive some level of Food Stamp help, and more than 10 percent of the U.S. population is classified as lacking food security. In Vermont, 53,000 people are enrolled in the program.

Leahy, long a leader on Food Stamp and anti-hunger policy, is the most senior member of either party on the Agriculture Committee and a former chairman of the panel.

The text of Leahys letter follows:

[aquart]

1. "Lacking food security."

Good grief.

[kath]

2. wow, what a frickin' concept -- giving help to those who need it the most!!

Sounds like something Democrats USED to do, back when they actually stood up for poor and working people.

[CTyankee]

3. Another government handout to lazy people who don't contribute to our society!

We don't give handouts to all those wonderful, productive businesses!!

Oh, wait...

[Lyric]

4. I hope Congress approves this

I doubt if they will, but I can hope. I get Food Stamps, and heaven knows with the insanely rising prices, they don't go very far these days.

[cali]

5. 53,000 Vermonters are enrolled in the program. That's almost 10% of the state's

population. Good for Pat- again.