News

House Republicans to propose $40 billion cut to SNAP

Reports are House Republicans are going to propose a $40 billion cut to funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the nutrition part of their farm bill. Reuters says House Ag Committee Chair Frank Lucas told lobbyists along with the cuts, the measure could include mandatory drug testing and employment rules.

The ranking Democrat on the House Ag Committee, Collin Peterson issued a statement upon hearing the news saying: “Adding an additional $20 billion in nutrition cuts, on top of the poison pill nutrition amendments that brought down the Agriculture Committee’s bipartisan farm bill in June, effectively kills any hopes of passing a five-year farm bill this year.”

Peterson wants the House to appoint members to the conference committee who can work with the Senate to create a farm bill both houses can pass. “Through today’s action, the House Majority has clearly shown they have no interest in getting a farm bill done. The American people should be outraged.”