Conservatives deny they seek to cut off food stamps for striking workers' families

AP / CBS

A spokesman for the Republican Study Committee said today that charges that it is seeking to cut off food stamps for families in which a member has gone on strike are a "major mischaracterization of what we're doing."

The liberal blog ThinkProgress last night highlighted a bill from a group of lawmakers affiliated with the Study Committee, a caucus of conservative House Republicans. The bill reads in part: "no member of a family unit shall participate in the food stamp program at any time that any able-bodied work eligible adult member of such household is on strike as defined in the Labor Management Relations Act."

Calling the provision a "stealth attack against union workers," ThinkProgress complained that it "would actually cut off all food stamp benefits to any family where one adult member is engaging in a strike against an employer."

But Brian Straessle, spokesman for the Study Committee, says that's not true.

"If you are eligible for food stamps in February, and you go on strike in March, you are still eligible for the same thing," he told Hotsheet. "All we are saying is going on strike itself does not make you eligible for more benefits."

"We're not in any way saying 'look, don't go on strike,'" he added.

Straessle pointed to language in the bill that follows the section excerpted above, which reads, "Provided, That a family unit shall not lose its eligibility to participate in the food stamp program as a result of one of its members going on strike if the household was eligible immediately prior to such strike, however, such family unit shall not receive an increased allotment as the result of a decrease in the income of the striking member or members of the household."

"All we are saying is going on strike itself does not make you eligible for more benefits," said Straessle.

ThinkProgress acknowledges that language in its post, but writes that "removing entire families from eligibility while a single adult family member is striking would have a chilling effect on workers who are considering going on strike for better wages, benefits, or working conditions."

The bill was introduced by Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, who leads the caucus, as well as Reps. Tim Scott (S.C.), Scott Garrett (N.J.), Dan Burton (Ind.), and Louie Gohmert (Texas); it is focused on spending on means-tested welfare programs. (Though ThinkProgress references H.R. 1135, an updated version of the bill has been introduced, H.R. 1167; the relevant language has not been changed.)

The bill, which was reintroduced last week, has not come up for consideration in the GOP-led House. If it is considered and passed it would face long odds in the Senate, where Democrats hold a majority.

[mary-miami]

If the rightwing GOP and TeaParty extremists don't want workers to ask for foodstamps then maybe they should pay them a livable wage so they can fully support themselves. Oh wait...that would make them middle class instead of working poor; and the whole point of the rightwing is to eliminate the middle class. TeaParty and Republicans don't want a middle class because it is the ladder up from poverty. They want their servant's child to be a servant also. The only party that truly represents the interests of the working class is the Democrats because they are always fighting for everyone's individual freedom and equal rights. Re-Elect President Obama in 2012.

[jimbom121]

At this point, they might as well just take away all food stamps. They are taking away everything else that helps support the poor and middle class.

But don't forget to give the wealthy another tax break.

[TooComplex]

Another attack on middle-class Americans...

[arbitus]

Silly Rabbits, You can't cut off food stamps, cause big business uses them to supplement the wages of the illegals they have on the payroll. Big business rules, global corporations rule. It's all about cheap and subsidized labor. Ya gotta have that, or you can't increase shareholder value. Until you understand why and who wins in the current gridlock both sides will continue to be played. The Teaparty almost had it for a little while, then the Loonies like Palin got control. So yammer away, the forest is laughing all the way to the bank.

[discussthis]

by dronemonk March 25, 2011 11:00 AM EDT
Where did you learn such stilted morality? RNC propaganda talking point sheets? Will you be happy if/when hungry citizens are revolting, and rioting in the streets? Heartless and shortsighted is no way to go through life... Without foodstamps as hush money, the show's over. I hope you go on to miss meals. You know, to reap what you sow.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
drone:
"Will you be happy if/when hungry citizens are revolting, and rioting in the streets...
Heartless and shortsighted is no way to go through life...
I hope you go on to miss meals."
>>>>>>>>> WOW! I guess if someone disagrees with libs/dems/"progressives" they deserve to starve, but if they are a union member supporting the dems, or make the decision they do not need to work, they deserve to be supported by taxpayers.
Great lib philosophy exposed.

[discussthis]

Typical lib/dem/progressive tactic, present only part of the bill so libs get all fired up and have half truths available to assault the GOP; the liberal blog ThinkProgress purposefully omitted the most important language in the bill actually protecting strikers and complained about some language taken wholly out of context.

[tjs723]

Think progress quote the section of the law.
http://thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/strike2.jpg

It SAYS that if a memeber of the family goes on strike, they'll lose their food stamps

[discussthis]

tjs: again, the lib activists left out a little provision...(read the article)...

Straessle pointed to language in the bill that follows the section excerpted above, which reads, "Provided, That a family unit shall not lose its eligibility to participate in the food stamp program as a result of one of its members going on strike if the household was eligible immediately prior to such strike, however, such family unit shall not receive an increased allotment as the result of a decrease in the income of the striking member or members of the household."

[slownewsdayomewannagohome]

by Mortarman429 March 24, 2011 5:51 PM EDT
Well,, gotta go Slow. Your new game is coming soon. Just have a couple more things to set up.

You are so powerless.

Have a good night.

=====

PFFFFTTT!

I've never been "powerless" against your idiocy, Mort, and never will be.

I'm betting it's another set of LIES to make your Jesus proud.... You're going to Hell.

Say "lol" if you agree ;)


.

[slownewsdayomewannagohome]

Mortar - tell us again how the citizens run the government! <snicker>

[slownewsdayomewannagohome]

by Mortarman429
Poor Slow. Still lost. And still upset for the two games I have played with you over the last year...that made you look silly. And you just walked along...I didnt even have to work at it.

----------
No one besides yourself didn't see through your game of 3rd-grade-silent-treatment, Mortard.

It made you look like a child - AND a wimp who wouldn't defend himself.

PLEASE pull another one like that. While you're at it, try keeping your promise to ignore me, if you're capable of keeping a promise.

.

[Mortarman429]

Again, Slow. You were schooled so badly on both of the games I played with you...that I understand why you are angry. It must be so frustrating to never be able to win. I truly feel sorry for you.

So, the next one, I wont be so mean. But you will be schooled yet again. You will do exactly as I plan for you to do, just as you did with the other two.

Gonna be some more fun! Try not to get angry though, Slow. Its just good fun, even if you cant win.

[slownewsdayomewannagohome]

I actually was never angry, as I saw them as 3rd-grade games. So did everyone else.

It was VERY amusing that you wouldn't defend yourself, though! Very telling about your lack of courage.

You've never managed to school me once, as you've rarely had any valid point not firmly lodged in the realm of idealism, rather than realism.

[dronemonk]

You fascist authoritarians need to sober up a bit. Democracy is much, much more than 3 wolves and a sheep voting on what's for supper.

[Mortarman429]

Yeah, slow. You fascist authoritarian!

[slownewsdayomewannagohome]

Shoo, fly.