Pelosi withholds judgment on $9 billion food stamp cut

by Erik Wasson - 01/09/14 11:53 AM ET

House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Thursday did not reject outright the $9 billion in food stamp cuts that sources say are in the compromise farm bill that is nearing completion.

Pelosi, whose support will likely be crucial to passing the $1 trillion legislation, said she is still waiting to see the details of the cuts.

{mosads}The bill was to be unveiled at a formal farm bill conference meeting Thursday, but last-minute problems in the secretive negotiations have held it up.

“I’d like to see the bill. It was imminent that we were going to see it and now it’s pushed back,” Pelosi said.

She blasted the nearly $40 billion in food stamp cuts in the House version of the farm bill, but appeared open to the possibility of a $9 billion reduction.

“I look forward to seeing it and how they arrive at that figure and what their timetable is on it,” she told reporters. “I think it is very important that we get a farm bill. I’ve been very concerned about the food stamp and nutrition cuts that are in the bill, but as you know, that’s been closely held.”

Pelosi added that “we very much want a farm bill and hope that the final formulation will be acceptable.”

According to multiple sources, House and Senate negotiators are looking to trim less than $9 billion from food stamp spending over 10 years.

The cuts come from making it more difficult to automatically qualify for food stamps by virtue of receiving home heating aid. The Senate-passed version got $4 billion in savings from requiring people to get at least $10 in heating assistance to automatically qualify for food stamps. The House version got more than double that, from raising the threshold to $20.

Further cuts in the House bill from ending food stamp work requirement waivers and curtailing categorical eligibility for government benefits do not appear to be in the compromise.

Because the food stamp cuts fall far short of those House conservative sought, a strong vote from centrist Democrats will likely be needed to get the farm bill through the House.

Tags farm bill Nancy Pelosi