The USDA has finalized new Supplemental Nutrition Assistance rules that take effect in April of 2020. The rule is expected to reduce SNAP enrollment by close to 700,000. It is also projected to save taxpayers $5.5 billion over five years. It also calls for able bodied adults without dependent children to work for their benefits. The National Farmers Union submitted comments earlier opposing the changes. President Roger Johnson says its ironic to take money away from needed individuals and give it to wealthy farmers.
He says this new rule will put a burden on mostly rural people who are having a tough time finding work that pays above the cost of living.
Johnson says the finalized SNAP rule will impact mostly younger people who have little or no job experience.
House Ag Committee ranking member Congressman Mike Conaway of Texas applauds Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue for moving ahead with the rule and looks forward to continued efforts to move more Americans from poverty to prosperity.
