Welfare recipients have been spending their government benefits in very unlikely places

Lawmakers are taking action after reports that some welfare recipients have been spending their benefits in some very unlikely places.

The House of Representatives passed legislation last week that would require states to ban access to benefits at strip clubs, casinos and liquor stores. Some people were swiping their electronic cards at ATM's in clubs, liquor stores -- even on cruise ships.
 

The benefits are supposed to be spent on food, rent and other necessities. Lawmakers say the bill will help to cut down on fraud and abuse. But opponents say it would force people to travel farther to access their benefits and also force some people to pay higher fees.