Senate Begins Consideration of Farm Bill

This week, the Senate began its consideration of S. 954, the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act, also known as the Farm Bill. The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee approved the legislation on May 14 (see The Source, 5/17/13).

According to the committee summary, the measure would reauthorize domestic and international food assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Food for Peace (P.L. 480), and McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, among other programs.

The bill proposes several changes to SNAP aimed to “reduce fraud and abuse.” The program would see a reduction in funding of $4 billion through FY2023 due primarily to changes in rules that govern SNAP eligibility that is based upon participation in federal utility assistance programs.

During consideration of S. 954, the Senate adopted, by voice vote, an amendment by Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) to end SNAP eligibility for convicted violent rapists, pedophiles, and murderers.

The Senate rejected the following amendments:

• An amendment by Sens. James Inhofe (R-OK) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) to repeal the nutrition assistance programs and establish a nutrition assistance block grant program, 36-60;
• An amendment by Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) to require tighter participant eligibility requirements for SNAP, 40-58; and
• An amendment by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) to strike a reduction in SNAP, 26-70.

The Senate is expected to continue its deliberation of the bill following the Memorial Day recess.