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Farm bill debate in House starts soon, Trump wants stronger crop insurance in package

Debate on the House version of the farm bill might start today.

House Ag Committee Chairman Michael Conaway says he is pleased the bill has the support of President Trump for its proposed reforms to the SNAP nutrition program and the additional planned work requirements, but Conaway says Trump wanted to make sure something else was done in the farm bill.

“The President told me at a meeting last week, unprovoked, unsolicited.  He said, ‘Conaway, are you strengthening crop insurance?’ and I said, ‘Mr. President, we don’t hurt it.’  He said, ‘No, I want it better.  I want it great.  I don’t want you guys messing with crop insurance.’  Yes, sir, Mr. President.”

Ground rules for farm bill debate were set up Tuesday during a Rules Committee meeting.  House members would like to wrap up debate and advance the bill to the Senate before the weekend.

The proposed additional work requirements have the support of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which says it would add more than 8 million people to the workforce.  Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker also backs the work requirements, which are similar to what he has already put in place in the Badger State.

Democrats remain opposed to the House Ag Committee bill.  Republicans can pass the bill if less than 20 of their own members oppose the bill.

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