House GOP eyes food stamp overhaul, possible requirements

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are laying the groundwork for a fresh effort to overhaul the nation's food stamp program during Donald Trump's presidency, with the possibility of new work and eligibility requirements for millions of Americans.

"There's nothing off the table when it comes to looking at solutions around these areas where we think improvements need to be made," House Agriculture Chairman Mike Conaway, R-Texas, said in an interview with The Associated Press.

The food stamp program, called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, now serves about 43.6 million people and cost $74 billion in 2015.

The report is based on 16 House Agriculture Committee hearings and lays out several findings, including that better enforcement of some SNAP work programs is needed in some states and that 42 states use broad eligibility standards that some Republicans have criticized as too loose.

The report cites USDA data showing that 10 percent of foods typically purchased by SNAP households are sweetened beverages.

The 1996 welfare law added some new work requirements, but Congress declined to convert federal food stamp dollars into block grants for the states, a move that would cut spending for the program.