Video: "Food Stamp Fraud Exposed"

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, chaired by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), released this video, "Food Stamp Fraud EXPOSED," ahead of today's hearing titled "Food Stamp Fraud as a Business Model: USDA's Struggle to Police Store Owners." According to the Committee, the video exposes "recent reports revealing hundreds of merchants previously disqualified from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food stamp program" who continue to defraud the program.

The number of Americans receiving SNAP benefits hit an all-time high in December of 2011, the most recent month for which USDA has posted data. There were 46,514,238 beneficiaries, an increase of more than a quarter million citizens from November's new revised total of 46,286,316. The government spent $6.22 billion on Food Stamps in December.

"Food stamp fraud costs taxpayers hundreds of millions every year, according to a Scripps Howard News Service investigative report," the Committee said.

USDA disputes the Committee's assertions about the level of fraud.

Witnesses for the hearing:

The Honorable Kevin Concannon

Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services

U.S. Department of Agriculture

The Honorable Phyllis K. Fong

Inspector General

U.S. Department of Agriculture

The Honorable Kenya Mann Faulkner

Inspector General

Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General

Ms. Jennifer Hatcher

Vice President for Government Relations

Food Marketing Institute