2002 – Bush Reverses Some of PRWORA’s Cuts to Food Stamps

In the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, President George W. Bush, who was concerned about ensuring adequate nutrition for immigrant children, made expansive changes to the Food Stamp Program. These changes provided relief to food pantries and soup kitchens that had become overburdened after cuts imposed under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) took effect. Most notably, under Bush’s direction, Congress restored eligibility for many of the immigrants who had lost assistance under PRWORA. At the time, while immigrant children were more likely to live in food-insecure households, they were less likely to receive food stamps.  

An estimated 29,000 immigrants in Florida had their eligibility for food stamps reinstated, which was hailed as restoring fairness and justice for immigrants in the state. In all, the number of people participating in food stamps in Florida during Bush’s tenure increased by about 500,000 people, or 56 percent.