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House GOP at odds with Bush on food stamps issue

From Ted Barrett
CNN Washington

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A majority of House Republicans were expected to vote Tuesday against a proposal by President Bush to allow legal immigrants receive food stamps once they have been in the U.S. for at least five years.

Bush is joined by most Democrats in Congress in pushing to change a section of the 1996 welfare reform law, signed by President Bill Clinton, that cut off the food aid.

"We are talking about legal immigrants: families who pay taxes, serve in our armed forces and strengthen our economy and cultural life," House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt said.

But House Republicans, afraid the government assistance will send the wrong signal to people who want to move to the United States, are backing a plan to allow the benefits only after an immigrant can prove a five-year work history here.

"The president's proposal is a welfare magnet," said Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo. "Enticing immigrants to come to the United States with federal benefits only discourages them not to work or develop skills to sustain their livelihood."

Tuesday's vote -- which aides on both sides of the aisle expected to pass -- is designed to influence congressional negotiators on the farm bill, the giant agriculture legislation through which the food stamp program is funded. But the resolution is non-binding and likely to be ignored by the House GOP negotiators, House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas, said.

House Republican leaders say they are working with the administration to find a compromise on the issue, which could otherwise delay final action on the farm bill.

When Bush announced his proposal in January it was seen in political circles as an outreach to Hispanic voters. Hispanics make up the bulk of immigrants to the United States and have gained considerable political clout.

The administration said its proposal would assist 363,000 people and cost about $2.1 billion over 10 years.



 
 
 
 







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