Bread for the World Reacts to House Vote on Splitting the Farm Bill

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2013-07-12

Bread for the World is deeply disappointed by Congress’ decision on splitting the farm bill. The House of Representatives leadership released a farm bill (H.R. 2642) late night that did not include the nutrition title—the section that authorizes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps). The House voted 216 to 208 to pass the farm-only farm bill.

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“As the economy slowly rebounds, more than 47 million Americans still depend on SNAP to put food on their tables,” said Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World. “Passing a farm bill that only contains farm programs would lead to a nutrition bill with SNAP cuts that far exceed the $20 billion proposed in an earlier House version of the farm bill.”

Earlier this year, the Senate passed a version of the farm bill that included $4.1 billion in cuts to SNAP, but included needed improvements to food aid. The House bill that failed to pass last month included $20.5 billion in cuts to SNAP and $2.5 billion in cuts to international food aid, cuts that Bread for the World opposed. Any final bill out of the House must be reconciled with the Senate version in a conference for final passage, and then must be signed by the president.

“Splitting the farm bill will hurt hungry and poor people by cutting and failing to improve international food aid and by putting SNAP at risk of deep cuts and harmful policy changes,” Beckmann continued. “We are disappointed that the House passed a ‘farm-only’ farm bill. Splitting the farm bill will not only hamper the ability of people to buy food, but have consequences for those involved in the farming, manufacturing, and processing of our food.”

“We are thankful to the Representatives who came to the House floor to speak on behalf of hungry and poor people and oppose the bill,” Beckmann concluded. “We will continue to fight efforts to split the farm bill as this continues to move through Congress.”

Source: Bread for the World

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