Regional Industry & News

Senate Democrats block Republican Farm Bill over SNAP changes

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KTIV) - Democrats on the Senate Agriculture Committee voted down a Republican-led version of the Farm Bill Thursday, Aug. 6, stalling legislation that has faced delays in Congress.

The committee rejected the bill over proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that would require states to share the cost of providing benefits.

The Republican chairman of the committee said he plans to revisit the bill when lawmakers return from their August recess.

Siouxland senators respond

Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa said Democrats were using farmers as leverage in a political dispute.

“The Democrats on the committee are using our farmers as a sacrificial lamb in an attempt to score political points,” Grassley said. “Democrats’ obstruction leaves the Farm Bill’s fate in jeopardy while family farmers desperately need our help.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota addressed the bill’s complexity and the role of the nutrition title in the standoff.

“This farm bill is like many farm bills. It has lots of moving parts,” Thune said. “80 to 85% of the spending in farm bills are in the nutrition title. And there are a lot of members on the committee who care deeply about that, as do we.”

Thune said the nutrition program should not be subject to state gaming or abuse.

“This is a program designed to help people who need help with food assistance. It’s not a program that’s designed to be gained by states or to be a place where there’s fraudulent behavior or abuse,” Thune said. “The Democrats are resisting. And even with a one-year delay, they’re still blocking it.”

Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska also criticized Democrats over the vote. In a statement, Fischer called it “disgraceful” that Democrats refused to advance the Farm Bill out of committee.

“They voted against every policy they claim to care about: funding food banks, improving rural and mental health services, increasing access to safe drinking water, and expanded broadband connectivity,” Fischer said in the statement. “This is a massive disservice to producers and communities across the country. I certainly hope they wake up and realize the pain this will inflict on American families.”

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