Farm Bill Advances in House

On July 11, the House Agriculture Committee approved, 35-11, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act (H.R. 6083), commonly referred to as the Farm Bill. The Senate approved its version of the Farm Bill (S. 3240) on June 21 (see The Source, 6/22/12). Like its Senate counterpart, the measure would reauthorize, among other programs, domestic nutrition and international food assistance programs through FY2017.

H.R. 6083 would authorize $2 billion annually for the Food for Peace program, which provides food assistance in developing countries. The authorization for the micronutrient fortification and McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition programs would be extended through FY2017.

The legislation would extend through FY2017 the authorization for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) and would make several changes to the program. Specifically, the bill would restrict categorical eligibility for SNAP to households that receive cash assistance from other low-income assistance programs, such as the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF. The measure would end eligibility for households where a member has received “substantial” lottery or gambling winnings. Households that repeatedly lose their electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card would be required to provide information that would aid in the investigation of potential fraud or trafficking of SNAP benefits. The bill also would establish a pilot program to determine the feasibility of accepting SNAP benefits via mobile transactions.

Retailers selling more than 45 percent of prohibited SNAP items (e.g., tobacco and alcohol) would be ineligible to participate in the program. Additionally, retailers would be required to provide perishable items, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, in at least three of the staple food categories.

H.R. 6083 would authorize $79 million annually for state SNAP employment and training programs. States would be required to limit employment and training assistance to those enrolled in specific career or technical education courses or basic adult education, remedial, and literacy courses, thus eliminating SNAP benefits for traditional college students.

During the committee’s consideration, supporters of the SNAP changes argued that the new restrictions would create $16 billion in savings by eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse from the program. Opponents countered that the new provisions would represent cuts to the program and deny SNAP benefits to vulnerable households.

The legislation would reauthorize the Commodity Supplemental Food Program through FY2017 and would modify the program so that it serves only elderly populations. Currently, the program also serves women, infants, and children, regardless of age. The Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program would be expanded to allow low-income families to be served.

During consideration of H.R. 6083, the committee adopted the following amendments by voice vote:

• An amendment by Rep. Martha Roby (R-AL) to require state agencies to verify the immigration status of SNAP applicants; and
• An amendment by Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) to require states to verify with the Social Security Administration that recipients are not deceased or dual-enrolled. States that fail to comply with the requirement risk losing a portion of their state allocation.