WASHINGTON—Approving the bill by a significant margin, both houses of Congress voted Monday in favor of reducing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to one free treat per year to be given to each recipient on their birthday. “In an effort to rein in runaway spending on this program for impoverished families, we’ve passed an important revision to SNAP that scales all food benefits down to one annual birthday dessert,” said Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA), chair of the House Agriculture Committee, who had criticized the program for providing low-income families with year-round groceries “by the bagful” instead of something more modest, like a small scoop of ice cream on their special day. “Now, a single food stamp will be redeemable on the date that appears on a SNAP recipient’s birth certificate, an original copy of which must be presented upon checkout at participating supermarkets. While Congress should continue efforts to cut our federal government’s overgenerous entitlement programs, I do believe every American ought to enjoy a slice of cake, a fresh-baked cookie, or some similar treat to celebrate turning a year older.” Thompson added that the new bill also implemented a work requirement that limits eligibility for the free treat to individuals who have worked eight hours or more on their birthday.
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