On June 21, the Senate approved, 65-35, the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act (S. 3240), commonly known as the Farm Bill. The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee approved the bill on April 26 (see The Source, 4/27/12).
The measure would reauthorize domestic and international food assistance programs, among other programs, through FY2017. According to the committee summary, the measure would restructure the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) by cracking down on “fraud and abuse, while strengthening efforts to get food assistance to those most in need.” Part of this effort would include increasing funding for trafficking prevention, which would receive an additional $18.5 million per year under the measure; preventing lottery winners from claiming new SNAP benefits; and limiting SNAP eligibility for college students. The bill also includes measures to encourage participating retailers to stock more staple foods, such as fruits and vegetables, as opposed to liquor and tobacco. The bill would implement measures to incentivize the purchase of these fruits and vegetables to encourage a healthy lifestyle. Under the measure, SNAP would continue to operate and maintain current authorization levels, with exception for a cut to the Heat and Eat program.
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which currently provides food assistance to individuals and families in need of additional nutrition, would transition its focus under the measure. The eligibility for the program would be phased out for women, infants, and children, leaving citizens 60 years and older as the primary beneficiaries. The legislation would authorize $426.126 million annually for FY2013-2017 for the program.
The bill also would reauthorize through FY2017 several international food aid programs, including the Food for Peace program, which allows for donation of food products to developing countries, and the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. McGovern-Dole serves maternal, infant, and child nutrition needs, providing food aid as part of an overall goal to increase literacy and reduce hunger for children. The bill would authorize $199.101 million for FY2013-2017.
During floor consideration, the Senate adopted, by voice vote, the following amendments:
