FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 1997
Contact: Dave Redmond
(202) 225-4050
WASHINGTON, D.C. - CONGRESSMAN
BOB SMITH (R-OR), CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE,
AND CONGRESSMAN BOB GOODLATTE (R-VA), CHAIRMAN OF THE AGRICULTURE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS, NUTRITION, AND FOREIGN
AGRICULTURE, TODAY EXPRESSED DISMAY AND OUTRAGE AT A GENERAL ACCOUNTING
OFFICE (GAO) REPORT SUGGESTING THAT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FOOD
STAMPS PAYMENTS ARE WASTED IN OVERPAYMENTS TO HOUSEHOLDS THAT
FAIL TO REPORT THE IMPRISONMENT OF A HOUSEHOLD MEMBER.
Despite the prohibition in the Food Stamp Act against
prisoners participating in the food stamp program, the review
by GAO, widely known as the investigative arm of Congress, identified
12,138 inmates in three states tested (Florida, New York, and
Texas) and Los Angeles County, California who were included in
households receiving food stamps. The overpayment to households
in just those areas reviewed amounted to $3.5 million. While households
that receive food stamps are required to report changes in household
membership, including incarceration, to the program's administering
state or local agency, few states have implemented programs to
verify the composition of families receiving food stamps.
Smith and Goodlatte announced that they are introducing
legislation to require states to establish a system to verify
that prisoners are not considered to be part of any household
participating in the food stamp program, and provide a disincentive
for states which fail to do so. The bill will be considered by
the full Agriculture committee on Wednesday.
"It's outrageous that scarce public resources,
which are allocated to those in need out of human compassion and
kindness, are going unfairly to some households whose only advantage
is that one of its members broke the law and went to jail. Taxpayers
have a right to expect that their taxes are wisely spent, and
improperly enriching the households of the incarcerated is not
what taxpayers have in mind. That's not what this program is about,
and we mean to end this shameful practice," Chairman Smith
said.
"It truly is unfair, not just for the taxpayers,
but for the millions of law-abiding Americans who receive food
stamps properly that such an abuse could occur, that those families
who truly need government assistance for their nutrition could
receive lesser amounts than those who break the law. Simple fairness
dictates that we do something, both to end the waste and abuse
of the food stamp program, but also to keep faith with the neediest
Americans, for whom these benefits are intended. It pains us to
think that some families are struggling to provide for their nutritional
needs while across the street another household is living better
because one of their members went to the slammer," said Rep.
Goodlatte.
Under the bill to be introduced by Chairmen Smith
and Goodlatte, states would be required to institute a system
to verify that individuals detained in Federal, state, or county
penal facilities are not participating in the food stamp program.
If a state fails to establish the verification system required
in the bill, the state may have a portion of its federal administrative
funds withheld. Additionally, the Secretary may seek an injunction
ordering a state to establish a verification system.
Smith, the full Committee's Chairman, represents
Oregon's Second Congressional District, which includes most of
eastern, southern, and central Oregon, in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Goodlatte, who serves as Chairman of the subcommittee with jurisdiction
over food stamps, represents Virginia's Sixth Congressional District,
which includes Roanoke, Lynchburg, and the Shenandoah Valley.