WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) released the following statement last week after the House of Representatives passed a proposed new farm bill that deletes the continuation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and a number of other federal nutrition assistance programs from the legislation. With strong bipartisan support, the Senate approved last month a comprehensive farm bill, the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013, which includes a nutrition title, along with titles covering farm commodity, conservation, crop insurance, energy, rural development, and other policy areas.
“House Republicans have demolished the very coalition that has served our whole nation well for decades – a coalition of rural and urban, farmers and consumers. Their actions today abandon U.S. families who need our help to put food on the table while destroying the time-tested farm bill alliance that has drawn urban votes for agricultural and rural programs. This House action is a grave disservice to the entire nation – farmers, ranchers, rural communities, consumers and urban areas.”
