US lawmakers have narrowly voted to cut food stamp benefits from next year despite a veto threat from the White House and opposition from lobby groups. The Republican-led House of Representatives passed the bill by 217-200. But it has little chance in the Democratic-held Senate.
The bill would save US$39 billion over a decade, but affect four million people on the programme. It comes a day after census data showed 15 per cent of Americans live in poverty. An estimated one in seven Americans - most of them children, elderly or disabled - receive food stamps.
The bill aims to cut US$4 billion a year, representing about 5 per cent of the current programme.
The budget savings would be achieved by allowing states to use work requirements for recipients and test applicants for drugs. It would also end waivers to allow able-bodied adults without dependents to receive food stamps indefinitely.
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