Sometimes it is forgotten that most rural Americans are not farmersthis effort benefits both farmers and other rural Americans. I also want to speak briefly on the food stamp changes. The food stamp changes simply restore benefits for certain level immigrants. The changes are modeled on last years Balanced Budget Act that restored eligibility for SSI and Medicaid to some legal immigrants. For example. the conference report would apply the provisions in the Balance Budget Actthat extended benefits from 5 years. to 7 years. for refugees and asylum seekers for SSI and Medicaidto the food stamp program. The 1996 welfare law made an exception for these types of refugees because they typically come to this country with very little after escaping persecution abroad. They often have no sponsors. In the past many of them fought along with U.S. troops against our common enemies.
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refugees immigrants asylum seekers