News

House Democrats want to see farm bill language

03.15.18 Ag-DemFarmBill-LetterToPeterson

Democratic Members of the House Ag Committee say they are done negotiating the farm bill until Republicans release the draft language.

Democrats on the committee are unanimously opposed to major changes in the SNAP nutrition program, which include expanded work requirements for recipients and the “heat and eat” provisions states like Michigan and Wisconsin use to determine eligibility for SNAP and heating assistance.

Congressmen David Scott and Jim Costa wrote a letter to Ranking Democrat Collin Peterson asking him to abstain from further negotiations with Chairman Mike Conaway until they see what’s in the bill.  The letter, obtained by Agri-Pulse, emphasized there was no testimony during the 23 farm bill hearings in favor of radical reforms to SNAP, and they do not have a clear picture of what’s included in the farm bill’s other titles.