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Stabenow says work requirements already in place as debt debate continues

Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow says it would be a disaster for the ag industry if the U.S. were to default on its debt.

“Every farmer is operating with loans, interest rates would skyrocket, programs would stop,” she says.  “We don’t know what would happen around crop insurance, we would don’t know what would happen in other programs that would have to stop.”

One of the hold-ups in debt ceiling negotiations has been House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s push for work requirements in some federal aid programs, like SNAP. Stabenow tells Brownfield the proposals don’t match current law, which already has work requirements in place.

“They were suspended under COVID like every other program, they’re now back on and any sanctions for not working will be starting in July,” she explains.  “If someone is not in a work program or an education program and they’re able-bodied, then they can only receive up to three months of food assistance in three years.”

The Michigan Democrat says a lapse in government funding would also halt any progress on the farm bill.

Brownfield interviewed Stabenow during a press event in East Lansing Monday.