News

Rules Committee working to advance budget bill

The Chairman and Ranking Member of the U.S. House Ag Committee presented their case to the Rules Committee as the House continues its work to advance a budget bill.

Chairman Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) says the Committee was tasked with cutting $230 billion from its budget. “And proud to report that we exceeded our instruction,” he says. “These savings are achieved through necessary changes to restore integrity to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and preserve the program’s ability to serve the most vulnerable long into the future.”

He says the cuts will allow for investments in rural America. “It is imperative for Congress to rebuild the farm safety net,” he says. “These investments mitigate further on budgeted, ad-hoc spending and prevent a full-blown financial crisis in farm country that could devastate the food and ag supply chain, and quite frankly, the national economy.”

However, Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-MN) says the proposal would decimate the country’s most successful anti-hunger program. “And why? Not for middle-class tax cuts, but to move to the wealthiest Americans’ money from the least wealthy,” she says.  “In addition, this is expected to increase the national debt and deficits. This is a shameful process that we’re involved in here today.”

Craig told the Rules Committee this budget bill won’t make it out of the U.S. Senate. “How do I know? Because Senator Chuck Grassley told us so,” she says. “It puts a huge burden on the states by forcing them to pay for anywhere from 5 to 25% of food assistance.”

The Rules Committee is the next step in advancing the One, Big Beautiful Bill Act.  It sets the conditions for debate and amendments on the House floor.  The committee is also reviewing the text of the bill and could potentially propose amendments before it is considered for a full House vote.

The House Rules Committee convened its hearing for the bill at 1:00am ET.