Budget and SNAP

From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. The House budget plan calls on the Ag Committee to save 230 billion dollars by 2034, an amount that could play a significant role in the fate of a new farm bill.

It’s 23 billion dollars per year, and the House Ag Committee would need to decide where to make those cuts.

Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley …

GRASSLEY … “The $230 billion is very close to the $240 billion that Vilsack unilaterally increased funding for SNAP.”

A step the former Ag Secretary took during the pandemic, and that Congressional Democrats argued was authorized by the 2018 farm bill.

But Republicans complained Vilsack needed to ask Congress first for such a huge benefit hike under the Thrifty Food Plan …

GRASSLEY … “It’s been pretty consistent among Republicans that when you did something because of the pandemic, and the pandemic’s over.”

Top House Ag Democrat Angie Craig …

CRAIG … “Sucking 230 billion dollars out of the farm economy by cutting the farm bill’s nutrition assistance programs, it doesn’t help anyone. It dampens demand for the food farmers grow when the bottom lines are already hurting.”

Craig says about 100 Democrats have to come across the aisle to pass a farm bill, concluding it must be bipartisan.