Senate Farm Bill Stalls Over SNAP Dispute

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry failed to advance a farm bill on Thursday after Democrats rejected the Republican proposal in a 10-11 vote, leaving the legislation without a clear path forward.

The committee did approve several amendments, including provisions to permanently move the Food for Peace program to USDA and allow hot rotisserie chicken purchases through SNAP, but the hangup among committee members was over changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Democrats insisted on a two-year delay before states begin sharing SNAP benefit costs, while Republicans offered a one-year delay.

“We’re holding hostage the people that we’re charged to help,” said Committee Chairman John Boozman. “Again, this is not about SNAP recipients, this is about the states, with very, very high error rates. We’re holding hostage our farm community. When you take livestock out of it, this is one of the poorest industries right now in America. And it’s not just farmers and ranchers, it’s rural America.”

Numerous farm organizations, including American Farm Bureau, called on senators to return to the negotiating table for the sake of rural communities across America.

“An overwhelming majority of Americans recognize that the farm bill is a matter of national security to ensure we continue to have a safe and abundant food supply,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “In fact, most Americans say they would be more likely to support a member of Congress who votes to reauthorize the farm bill, which makes the current gridlock even more puzzling.

“We urge senators to return to the table, work across party lines, and advance a farm bill out of committee in order to continue the negotiations toward a bipartisan farm bill that provides the long-term support and certainty our farmers, ranchers and rural communities need. The reality is that this might be our last chance this year to get it done. The stakes are too high to allow the opportunity to slip away.”

The Farm Credit Council is encouraging lawmakers to continue working toward a bipartisan Farm Bill as well. Farm Credit Council President and CEO Christy Seyfert thanked Chair Boozman, Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar, and committee members for their efforts while expressing disappointment that the bill did not move forward.

“As producers navigate ongoing economic uncertainty, completing a five-year Farm Bill is more important than ever,” Seyfert said. She noted the proposal includes provisions to expand credit availability for farmers and ranchers, strengthen crop insurance, and modernize Farm Service Agency loan programs.

Boozman said he can reconvene the committee later this year as lawmakers continue negotiations on the overdue Farm Bill.