WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today filed the Fraud Reduction Through Photographic Identification Act to reduce fraud that wastes taxpayer dollars.  The act will require food stamp recipients to show a photo ID when using a benefit card that doesn’t have a photo on it.

“Welfare fraud costs taxpayers $75 billion per year.  Too many people trade their food stamps for cigarettes, cash or drugs.  We can’t allow them to abuse taxpayer dollars,” said Sen. Kennedy.  “It’s not asking a lot to show a photo ID in order to preserve the integrity of a program funded through the generosity of taxpayers.  At the very least, we’ll ensure that these benefits are used, as intended, to feed the vulnerable and not to feed a drug habit.”

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