WASHINGTON ― Every five years, Congress passes a farm bill that pairs farm subsidies and food stamps, relying for passage on a coalition of rural and urban lawmakers. “We don’t put any new money in the program.”The federal government spends roughly $17 billion annually on farm subsidies, including crop insurance and programs that protect against drops in farm revenue and commodity prices. Conservative groups outside Congress have been mildly supportive of the SNAP changes but strongly against the overall bill because of its farm subsidy provisions. Jordan said that he has been focused on the food stamp provisions and that he figured there would be amendments addressing the farm subsidies. Conaway is hoping to bring the farm bill to the House floor for a vote as soon as next week.

Source: Huffington Post May 08, 2018 23:36 UTC