A brewing battle in the U.S. Congress over a re-imagined Farm Bill coupled with the expected conclusion of boosted funding for food assistance programs could mean fewer meals for millions of Americans.
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate have sent proposed legislation back and forth for months, with no unified plan to speak of just one month from the present legislation’s expiration.
Although the Senate version of the bill was passed June 10 and included more than $4 billion in cuts by fighting fraud and inefficiencies in the programs, the House elected to pass the agriculture aspect of the bill separately, while calling for new legislation aimed at cutting $40 billion from food assistance programs.
Congressman Mike Rogers said although he supported previous failed legislation, which would have cut only $20 billion and left nutrition and agriculture tied together, he believes the current house bill tackles the issues effectively.
“While the final bill was certainly not perfect, I believe that it provides us with the opportunity to move forward with the Senate,” Rogers said.
However Sen. Debbie Stabenow, the chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture Nutrition and Forestry, had other ideas.
“I led the fight against Republicans’ first proposal that kicked 2 million struggling families out of the program, and will continue to oppose plans that cut standard benefits for families truly in need trying to feed their children,” Stabenow said.
The initial house plan was projected to cut 2 million individuals off food assistance, according to the Center on Budgets and Policy Priorities, and Democrats have contended that with double the cuts, 4 million people would be at risk of losing benefits.
The expiration of temporary boosts to federal food assistance programs could mean significant cuts for some 47 million Americans, including 1.8 million Michiganians.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, received a financial boost in 2009 as a part of the economic stimulus package and provides assistance for millions including children, according to Melissa K. Smith, senior policy analyst for the Michigan League for Public Policy.
If the additional funds were allowed to expire on Oct. 31, Smith said it would mean a $30 a month cut to those already in dire financial straits.
Kareemah El-Amin, the executive director of the Food Bank Council of Michigan, said any cuts to SNAP would be felt throughout the Michigan food network. With a slower-than-expected economic recovery, many families continue to struggle to find sustenance, while local food pantries struggle with increased demand. The summer season is especially difficult for families, who struggle to provide meals for children in lieu of school lunches.
Although legislators are not expected to renew the increased assistance, both the House and the Senate are expected to continue work on the Farm Bill when they return from summer recess.
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