Agriculture Appropriations Bill Protects Families' SNAP Benefits

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This week, the House will consider the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations bill as a standalone measure. This bill funds the Department of Agriculture and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, commonly called food stamps). Passing it will ensure families do not lose their SNAP benefits.

Because of the Trump Shutdown, some of the most important activities funded in the Agriculture bill have ground to a halt. In addition to the threat to SNAP benefits, the shutdown has also led to other serious impacts:

Risking Public Health. The Food and Drug Administration cannot accept any regulatory submissions and cannot support many routine regulatory and compliance activities. This includes some medical product, animal drug, and most food-related activities. The FDA also cannot conduct routine establishment inspections, which could prevent the finding and correction of violations, especially for food safety.

Cutting Off Services for Farmers. As producers are beginning to make their plans for next year's planting season, the Department of Agriculture has closed Farm Service county offices across the country and stopped providing assistance to farmers already hit hard by the Trump trade war.

House Democrats' bill, which is virtually identical to legislation that has already passed the Senate on a 92-6 vote, will reopen these agencies and stop some the worst impacts of the Trump Shutdown on families, businesses, and communities.

It provides $23.235 billion in discretionary funding, $225 million above the FY2018 enacted level. In addition, it provides the latest estimates for mandatory programs required by law – including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Child Nutrition Programs. It will ensure that the Department of Agriculture and the FDA are both able to operate through September 30.

The bill rejects President Trump's proposed budget cuts to agriculture, rural development, and conservation programs. It includes funding for rural broadband that President Trump had proposed eliminating.

Finally, it rejects President Trump's proposed elimination of Food for Peace and the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, both which provide lifesaving food assistance overseas.