Bill for agricultural funds includes food-stamp cuts

The House Appropriations Committee approved a $22.7 billion funding bill for agricultural and food programs for fiscal 1982, including a food stamp allocation reflecting Congress's new restraint. It recommended that $9.7 billion be spent on the food stamp program in the next fiscal year, which begins in October. The bill also appropriated $3.7 billion in 1982 funding for child nutrition programs.

Committee chairman Jamie Whitten (D) of Mississippi said the food stamp appropriation is $2.8 billion less than the program would have cost next year without the stringent spending cutbacks. It is also $1.7 billion lower than the 1981 funding level.