The latest draft of the farm bill contains a provision that would prevent convicted felons from collecting food stamp benefits. The provision represents the latest front in a contentious battle over federal social support programs.
For the past year, the debate over the farm bill has served as a proxy war of sorts for debates on federal social safety nets. Last summer, Republicans in the House killed a bipartisan farm bill over fears that it increased federal deficits. Even had the bill passed the House, serious differences between the House and Senate bills would likely have derailed reconciliation attempts.
The 2013 Farm Bill, in addition to increasing cuts to federal nutritional subsidies, increases limitations placed on applicants and their families. “Under current law, there is a lifetime ban for convicted drug felons, though many states have opted out of or modified that ban,” reads a statement from Louisiana Senator David Vitter’s office. “Vitter’s amendment would extend the lifetime food stamp ban to dangerous sex offenders and murderers.”
In addition to hurting convicted felons, the amendment would likely hurt their families.
The proposed amendment has already been criticized by a number of groups. According to University of Wisconsin professor Timothy Smeeding, “It doesn’t save anyone any money, it just makes sort of a political statement that we don’t forgive people for crimes once they pay their dues. We’re just going to punish them forever.”
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer