This is what the Republican leadership has planned the whole time—pass tax cuts that cause a huge gaping whole in our federal budget then say “We have to reduce spending. Let’s cut some more from food stamps, medicaid, and medicare.”
My own U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican, is from rural Stevens County, which is one of the poorest in the State and has one highest per capita rate of food stamp recipients. Also, in her district is the city core of Spokane, which contains the 3rd Legislative District. This district is also one the poorest in the State.
From the Huffington Post . . .
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), founder of the House Freedom Caucus, told HuffPost on Tuesday that the influential bloc of conservative Republicans will push for “welfare reform” legislation next year that would add new restrictions on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
“That’s what’s coming,” Jordan said, adding that President Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) support the idea. ”It’s got huge support. We just need to get it done next year.”
However, if Doug Jones beats Roy Moore for the U.S. Senate race in Alabama, Republicans will have only a one seat margin. If there is one Republican defector, then they will need Vice President Mike Pence to cast the tie breaking vote to cut food stamps. So they would be able to afford to loose one vote, but not two. That is a really tight margin, and it makes it difficult for them to pass legislation in the U.S.Senate. There is still hope that we can stop them. If one of more of the Republican caucus is sick or otherwise indisposed, their razor thin margin is in jeopardy.