Washington Update on House Agriculture Committee Reconciliation Measure and Upcoming Senate Agriculture Committee Farm Bill

 Washington Update on House Agriculture Committee Reconciliation Measure and Upcoming Senate Agriculture Committee Farm Bill

There is a lot happening on SNAP this week, and we wanted to give you an update of what we know regarding the two separate but moving vehicles: the House Agriculture Committee Reconciliation Measure and the upcoming Senate Agriculture Committee Farm Bill. 

 

But first, we would like to thank you for all your work this week on the SNAP state organization sign-on letters, call-in days, and Tuesday’s “Special Order” on the House floor.  All have been very successful because of your hard work. 

 

House Agriculture Committee Reconciliation:

Yesterday, per reconciliation instructions from the House-passed Ryan budget, the House Agriculture Committee made over $33 billion in program cuts under its jurisdiction but used its discretion to take the funds entirely from SNAP.  No household would be spared from seeing its benefits reduced, and millions of low-income people would be forced out of the program.  The proposal was passed by voice vote (no recorded vote).  The measure is not expected to move forward since the Senate will not take up Reconciliation.  However, this measure demonstrates the resolve of some in Congress to severely cut the SNAP program. 

 

The proposal would do the following:

• End the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s boost to SNAP benefits on June 30, 2012.
• Eliminate the state option known as “Heat and Eat” which will reduce SNAP benefits for households eligible for but receiving the smallest, least adequate LIHEAP benefits.
• Limit states’ ability to administer the categorical eligibility option.  Over three million SNAP recipients would lose eligibility.  In addition, it would take free school breakfast and lunch away from more than 280,000 low-income children.  These children are eligible to receive free school lunches and breakfasts because their families qualify for SNAP.  The proposal, by eliminating their SNAP eligibility, would remove them from free school meals as well.   
• Reduce the federal matching funds for SNAP employment and job training.
• Eliminate state performance bonuses for improving program participation and accuracy.
• Eliminate indexing on for SNAP nutrition education funding.

Click here for FRAC’s statement on yesterday’s vote.

Click here for the House Agriculture Committee’s Reconciliation Bill.

Click here for a summary of the House Agriculture Committee’s Reconciliation Bill.

2012 Farm Bill:

Tomorrow, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow is expected to release her ‘mark’ (farm bill proposal).  We will send you details of the mark as they emerge.  Chairwoman Stabenow has indicated that she wants to mark up her bill next week (most likely Wednesday).

 

Take Action:

 

While the cuts made in the House Budget Reconciliation proposal are non-starters in the Senate, there is a real threat to SNAP cuts in the Farm Bill in both the House and Senate.  This is a critical time to weigh in with your Senators and Representatives and urge them to oppose any cuts to SNAP.

 

Message:  Strengthen and Protect SNAP.  Urge your Senators and Representatives to oppose any proposals that would change SNAP’s structure or reduce funding, restrict eligibility or reduce benefits (including limiting the “Heat and Eat” option states have).  Congress should strengthen, not weaken SNAP, including the President’s proposal to restore the cut in the ARRA boost.