US House rejects Federal Farm Bill

[Heather Day]

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Ellen Gray" <eg...@wsffn.org>

Date: June 20, 2013 11:51:49 AM PDT

To: "Network List Serve" <wsf...@npogroups.org>

Subject: [wsffnet] US House rejects Federal Farm Bill

Reply-To: "Ellen Gray" <eg...@wsffn.org>

Dear Networkers

After voting on 102 amendments over the past 2 days the US House of Representatives has rejected the five year, half-trillion-dollar farm bill that would have cut $20.5 billion from SNAP (aka food stamps) and would have let states impose broad new work requirements on those who receive them.The vote was 234-195 against the bill. Sixty-two Republicans voted no, while 24 Democrats voted in favor of the bill. Members of both parties had signaled opposition to the food stamp cuts in the bill.

At this point I am not sure what will happen. I do know that we were able to get a couple of good things in a very bad House bill so thank you for your calls.....

 

Fortenberry Amendment passed - passing payment limit reform

McClintock failed ..it would have eliminated Farmers Market Promotion Program grants etc

Schweikert failed..it would have eliminated Healthy Food Financing Initiative

Kaptur passed ..continuing support for Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program 

 

But on the whole it was a bad bill.  In addition to big SNAP cuts, this bill included no crop subsidy reform, made huge over-the-top cuts to conservation, failed to invest in rural economic development, and attacked fair markets for livestock producers.   That said, it is really important to get a new farm bill done this year and not remain in limbo. 

 

WSFFN will continue to advocate for a bill that expands opportunities for family farmers to produce good food, sustain the environment, and contribute to vibrant communities.

 

 

 

Ellen Gray
Executive Director
Washington Sustainable Food & Farming Network
PO Box 762, Mount Vernon WA. 98273-0762
Phone: (360) 336-9694 Fax: (360) 336-1579
eg...@wsffn.org www.wsffn.org

...sustainable food and farming advocates.

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__________________

Heather Day, Director

Community Alliance for Global Justice

www.seattleglobaljustice.org

206-724-2243