On March 12, the Senate approved, by unanimous consent, a bill (S. 2745) to extend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-171), known as the farm bill, for 30 days; the current authorization (P.L. 110-161) expires on March 15. The House approved, by voice vote, the measure later the same day. The president is expected to sign the bill.
The extension would continue several programs of interest to women and families, including the Food Stamp Act (P.L. 108-269); the United States Department of Agriculture’s Snack program, which provides healthy snacks to students during after-school programs; the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition program (P.L. 480); the National School Breakfast and Lunch program; and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children program.
