Texas Democrats rail against food stamp reductions

Texas Democrats are railing against automatic reductions in food stamps triggered by expiration of 2009 Recovery Act funds.

The stimulus funds ran out at midnight last night. The average family of four receiving benefits will see their food aid drop by $36 a month because of the reduction, according to the Department of Agriculture.

Those cuts continue to be controversial as a Congressional conference committee negotiates the long-delayed farm bill.

Other Texas Democrats, including Rep. Marc Veasey of Fort Worth and Reps. Gene Green and Sheila Jackson Lee of Houston, have also supported extending the 2009 stimulus funding for food stamps.

“It is time for House Republicans to start helping–not hurting–millions of Americans who are striving to get back on their feet,” Veasey said. He urged Republicans to pass the bill and work with Democrats to craft a budget that didn’t cut safety net programs.