Durbin, Schakowsky Vow To Fight Food Stamp Cuts

(CBS) -- A pair of liberal lawmakers are pledging opposition to conservative plans for $40 billion in cuts to the food stamp program over the next ten years.

Senator Dick Durbin and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky warn that cuts in the food stamp or SNAP program will eject 10 million people from the food assistance rolls.

"Over the years I have been disappointed by some of my colleagues characterize SNAP benefits as 'welfare queens' and 'welfare Cadillacs.' I have traveled across this state and heard the stories of families and parents that need this food assistance. They are our neighbors, they are hard-working people, some of whom have lost a job," said Durbin.

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky says she's been talking to some folks with jobs who are on food stamps.

"Workers at fast-food chains, McDonald's and Burger King and Wendy's, I feel like I am subsidizing them. I am talking about the companies, because they don't pay their workers enough so they have to come to the government and ask for help. So who are the freeloaders here? " said Schakowsky.

Rep. Schakowsky says the current SNAP budget is $80 billion, and conservatives want to cut that by four billion dollars a year.

She says that will mean an end to food stamps for as many as 10 million Americans, 2 million in Illinois and pledged to battle the budget cutting initiative.