The House Agriculture Committee marked up the 2018 Farm Bill last Wednesday. Not every member was on board with the new version of the bill. The sticking point was over the title for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
When the Ag Committee met to vote on marking up the 2018 Farm Bill, there was a lot of debate brought up over SNAP. Republicans say changes to the title would help provide able-bodied Americans a path off federal assistance. Democrats charge the bill makes too many cuts.
House Ag Committee Vice Chairman Glenn Thompson (R-PA 5th District) says he was disappointed politics played a factor in the mark up hearings.
The point causing the most debate last week, was about states working with businesses and educational leaders to provide employment opportunities and training. Thompson says they gave the members what they asked for.
Thompson said one of the biggest changes was an increase in funding to food banks and pantries. Funding for those organizations was bumped from 15 million to 60 million dollars. This will allow the food banks to work with farmers to provide more fresh food options.
