Late last week the U.S. House of Representatives failed to pass their version of the 2018 Farm Bill. One of the biggest reasons why was the fact Democrats had said all along they would vote against the bill due to their opposition of the stricter work requirements in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). During a recent tele-conference, House Agriculture …
Conservatives Attack House Farm Bill
Key Democrats in the House are already lining up in opposition to the House version of the 2018 Farm Bill because of proposed changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The House version was passed out of the Ag Committee in a partisan, party-line vote. The Hill Dot Com says the bill is now facing attacks from conservative groups. Americans for …
House Ag Committee Approves Farm Bill, Despite SNAP Differences
On Wednesday, the House Agriculture Committee did approve the draft of the 2018 Farm Bill, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, HR-2. The vote was 26-20 as Democrats and Republicans squared off on SNAP, the nutrition title. Republicans efforts to reform it include work requirements, but Democrats argue the program changes may be too costly, and the reforms aren’t …
Chairman Conaway Introduces the Agriculture and Nutrition Act
Three years, 114 hearings, six listening sessions and countless industry meetings have laid the groundwork for the 2018 Farm Bill. And, the House Agriculture Committee delivered what they call a strong farm bill for producers, consumers and all of rural America. After introducing the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (H.R. 2), during a teleconference, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Michael …
Conaway Says Democrats Wrong to Oppose SNAP Changes
House Ag Committee Chair Mike Conaway says Democrats are not accurately portraying the changes he’s proposing to overhaul the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program(SNAP). Politico quotes Conaway as saying that Democrats on the committee will see the difference between what he’s proposing and “what they’ve been told Republicans are doing,” and will see the value in the idea. Conaway’s proposals include …
No Drastic SNAP Changes Expected in Senate Farm Bill
Politico says the Senate is not expected to make any drastic changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as it works to reauthorize the farm bill. Those comments came from Senate Ag Chair Pat Roberts during a speech before anti-hunger advocates on Tuesday morning. While speaking to the National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference, Roberts said again that he’ll oppose efforts …
USDA Seeks Ideas to Help SNAP Participants Become Independent
The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that it is looking for innovative ideas to promote work and self-sufficiency among able-bodied adults participating in the department’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The public is invited to provide input through a notice in the Federal Register. Comments can be submitted on the web through the Federal Register tomorrow. USDA intends to use …
SNAP Battle Top Obstacle for Farm Bill
House Ag Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson says the biggest problem facing legislators as they write the new Farm Bill isn’t just funding. Peterson told sugar producers and processors this week that the biggest battle is over what to do with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Peterson spoke to the International Sweetener Symposium in San Diego, pointing out that …
Amazon Food Stamp Policy Ruffling Feathers
Amazon has a new Prime program for the millions of Americans who have EBT cards. The new policy is causing America’s grocers to complain to Washington, D.C. that the online giant may not be playing by the rules. Politico’s Morning Agriculture Report says USDA feels Amazon isn’t doing anything wrong. The grocery store industry is telling USDA officials and lawmakers …
Subcommittee Examines the Future of SNAP
Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-5), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Nutrition, held a hearing to discuss the future of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as part of the hearing series to set the stage for the next farm bill. During the 114th Congress, the committee completed a comprehensive review of SNAP—known as the Past, Present, and …