Rep. Matsui reflects on her food stamp challenge

Tom Camarello with Progressive Democrats of America and members from several other organizations hold a rally in front of Rep. Henry Waxman's office on June 17, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. The protestors were asking the congressman to vote against a House farm bill that would reduce federal spending on the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program by $20.5 billion and affect food stamps and other services for the poor.

California Congresswoman Doris Matsui from Sacramento spent several days trying to understand what it was like to eat on food stamps, and what cuts to the program would mean.

One of the big sticking points in the farm bill debate is the food stamp program, which currently provides a government stipend to the poor to help them make ends meet.

That amounts to $4.50 a day, or $1.50 per meal.

On that kind of money, your breakfast is might be as simple as one boiled egg and a slice of dry toast. No butter. That's what was on the menu for California Congresswoman Doris Matsui from Sacramento.

She spent several days last week trying to understand what it was like to eat on food stamps, and what cuts to the program would mean.

Congresswoman Matsui joins the show to tell us about her experience.