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Hartzler: Work requirements, conservation, politics are farm bill sticking points

Farm Bill Conference Committee member Vicky Hartzler of Missouri says there are still issues standing in the way of the 2018 farm bill reaching committee agreement. The primary one, according to Congresswoman Hartzler, is the SNAP benefit work requirements favored by House Republicans.

“We should be investing in individuals who are work-capable, who are currently receiving food assistance, so that they can get the job skills needed to help fill part of the 6.9 million open jobs right now in this country,” Hartzler told Brownfield Ag News Wednesday. The 2014 Farm Bill expired Sunday, however the bulk of the programs authorized by that bill continue.

There are also differences between House and Senate versions of the Conservation Reserve Program, according to Congresswoman Hartzler.

“The House expanded the number of acres to 29 million acres for CRP, but lowered the rental rates,” said Hartzler.  “The Senate did not increase the number of acres by that amount.”

Hartzler, a Republican, says Democrats are stalling, hoping to redo the farm bill to their liking if they take control of either the House or the Senate in the coming year.

She says conference committee members are in agreement on the importance of crop insurance.

AUDIO: Vicky Hartzler (7 min. MP3)