GOP Prepares Bill to Cut Food Stamps by 5 Percent

House Republicans are preparing legislation that would cut the food stamp program by as much as 5 percent.

The head of the House Agriculture Committee, Rep. Frank Lucas of Oklahoma, says a small group of Republicans have agreed to try to advance the legislation as early as next month.

The measure would cut as much as $4 billion a year from the $80 billion-a-year food stamp program.

House conservatives want major cuts to the program, which has doubled in cost since 2008.

Senators have approved lower cuts.

The food stamp program traditionally has been part of the farm bill. But House leaders stripped it from the bill last month, passing a farm-only version and delaying action on food stamps.