WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), applauds the Senate Agriculture Committee for making bipartisan progress towards protecting vital anti-poverty programs in its version of the Farm Bill. FCNL urges the full Senate to pass this version of the Farm Bill.
“It is a moral imperative that no one in our country should go hungry,” said Diane Randall, FCNL Executive Secretary. “We applaud the Senate Agriculture Committee for producing a strong, bipartisan farm bill that protects and supports the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The SNAP program helps individuals and families struggling to put food on the table.”
The Senate Agriculture Committee’s bill is a dramatic departure from the House version of the Farm Bill, which the House of Representatives did not pass last month. That bill contained many harmful changes that would have reduced or eliminated SNAP benefits for more than two million Americans. Despite providing vital nutrition assistance to more than 40 million Americans, SNAP has been vulnerable to devastating cuts for many years—often used as a bargaining chip in partisan budget policy debates.
“SNAP is effective, efficient, and prevents hunger for millions of Americans,” added Randall. “The Senate bill builds upon SNAP’s success by improving program integrity, expanding pilot programs for underserved populations, and better connecting SNAP recipients with effective workforce development opportunities.”
Speaker Paul Ryan plans to bring the House version back for another vote later this month. FCNL urges lawmakers to reject the House version, and instead, continue strong, bipartisan support of SNAP as exemplified by the Senate Agriculture Committee.
To learn more, please visit www.fcnl.org.
Diane Randall is available for interviews to discuss FCNL’s position on the Farm Bill. Please reach out to Adlai Amor at media@fcnl.org or 202-903-2536 for inquiries.
Founded in 1943 by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), FCNL lobbies Congress and the administration for U.S. policies that advance peace, justice, and good government.
