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I wonder what the reaction her at FR would be if Clinton would have proposed to expand the welfare state to illegal aliens? Would most post just state that we are disappointed with the president or would we be calling him a traitor? Legislation like this cannot stand whether a Democrat or Republican proposes it.

WASHINGTON -- House Republicans have blocked President Bill Clinton's proposal to restore food stamps to certain noncitizens.

The plan is popular with groups that represent Hispanics, a voting bloc the White House has targeted.

But a House-Senate conference committee that is negotiating a farm bill set aside the food stamp issue after House GOP members insisted on a much more restrictive approach.

Under their plan, immigrants would have to prove they've worked in the country for at least five years and could not receive food stamps for more than two years. Under the White House plan, there would be no time limit on benefits, but immigrants must have been here at least five years to receive the aid.

House Republicans also want to deny benefits to any immigrants who have ever been in the country illegally for more than a year.

Food stamps for legal immigrants were cut off when Congress overhauled the welfare system in 1996.