(Image source: The New York Times)
BY JOHN O'CONNOR
Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives
narrowly approved a scaled-back version of
the farm bill Thursday after stripping out
the popular food stamp program used by more
than 47 million Americans.
House Democrats chastised Republicans for
the move — claiming the GOP is ignoring
initiatives they argue poor Americans need
to keep from going hungry.
The watered-down bill passed mostly along
party lines 216-208.
(Via C-SPAN)
The farm bill is the primary agriculture policy
tool of the federal government, and has major
implications on food trade, safety and more.
The U.S. Congress is responsible for drafting
new agriculture policy every five years.
(Via YouTube / TheEdgeOfFarming)
The food stamp program — formally known
as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
— represents 80 percent of the bill's original
cost, and is the centerpiece for bipartisan
support in the Senate-passed version of the
bill.
According to CNN, food stamps cover more than
47 million Americans — nearly half of which
are children — and is the nation's largest
domestic safety net against hunger.
(Via CNN)
The New York Times explains it is the first
time food stamps have not been a part of the
bill since 1973.
"By splitting farm policy from food stamps,
the House effectively ended the decades-old
political marriage between urban interests
concerned about nutrition and rural areas
who depend on farm subsidies."
But House Republicans say it was a necessary
move.
Current farm policy ends on September 30th,
and without major cuts in spending, Republican
lawmakers were fearful they wouldn't be able
to garner enough support to pass new legislation
in time.
The Senate overwhelmingly passed its version
of the bill — which includes the food stamp
program — in June.
House and Senate negotiators may be able to
produce a compromise measure on the program,
but House Republicans say they'd rather keep
food stamps entirely separate from the bill.
(Via USA Today)
House leaders expect to vote on the now-separated
food stamps program in the next week or two.
The White House says it will veto the farm
bill if the final draft of the legislation
does not include food stamps.
