Senate GOP proposes changes to food stamp requirements

(CNN)– The Senate Agriculture Committee is proposing a change to provisions of the food stamp program that are in the House-approved Republican mega bill.

The House package would impose work requirements on parents who have children age seven and older.

It aims to reduce federal spending by billions of dollars by making cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program known as SNAP.

The Senate panel is proposing a tweak of the House bill’s requirements.

Its version would mandate parents with children ten years and older to work to maintain their benefits.

Right now, parents of dependent children are exempt from the ‘SNAP’ work mandate.

Both Senate and House versions would require the states begin covering part of the cost of food stamp benefits for the first time.