The House passed a farm bill last week after dropping food stamps from the negotiating table.
According to an Illinois Public Media report, “The 216-208 vote was largely on party lines, with no Democrats supporting it. Twelve Republicans also voted against it.”
A recent article in the News-Gazette reported that House democrats opposed any cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Republicans argued that the proposed 3 percent cut to the $80 billion-a-year feeding program wasn’t enough. Republicans say they plan to take up the food stamp portion of the farm bill later with hopes of making bigger cuts.
Recent news reports show Illinois farmers are frustrated with the House farm bill.
IL Farm Groups Unhappy with House Farm Bill – Tri States Public Radio
“The U.S. House passed its version of a farm bill by sidestepping the issue that caused its earlier attempt to fail. Some Illinois farm groups aren’t happy with that new approach.
After House Democrats and Republicans couldn’t agree over funding levels for the food stamp program, Republicans introduced legislation that simply included no funding for food aid programs.”
Many Central Illinois farmers don’t want Farm Bill split – pantagraph.com
“As a fierce debate continued in Congress over splitting up federal funding for farm subsidies and food stamps, some Central Illinois farmers called for a unified approach.
The $100 billion Farm Bill provides farm subsidies including crop insurance and conservation programs and, since 1973, has also included food stamps for needy families.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a $20 billion version Thursday that funds only farm subsidies, removing $80 billion earmarked for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which funds Illinois Link cards. House Republican leadership has said it will take up SNAP funding in a separate bill.”
House Republican-Led Bait and Switch Farm Bill Unacceptable and Shameful – Illinois Review
“In what was reported an accomplishment by the House on Thursday, July 11, the House passed the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act (HR 2642) by a slim margin, 216 to 208, in what amounted to a scaled down farm bill sans food stamps better known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).”