Spending on Food Stamps Accounts for 80 percent of the Farm Bill."

 

Rep. Adrian Snith

  

The budget submitted by  the  President would maintain increased funding levels for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as "food stamps." Spending on the food stamp program has more than doubled in the last four years, increasing from $35 billion to around $80 billion, and accounts for approximately 80 percent of the cost of the Farm Bill. Even during times of nationwide economic growth and low unemployment, food stamp spending increased. 

 

In addition, rather than supporting a responsible risk management system, the President's budget proposes cuts to the federal crop insurance program. While we need to reduce our deficit and debt, it is counterproductive to undermine producers who manage risk. Further cuts to this program will discourage participation which could increase premiums for producers and raise the cost of food for consumers. Without federal crop insurance, only those producers able to purchase their own insurance will be able to afford to farm. Given the success of crop insurance, and in light of last year's severe drought, we should strengthen this fiscally responsible public-private partnership – not cut it.

 

Nebraska agriculture is the backbone of our local economy and key to meeting America's food demands for the future. While I am pleased the President's budget would pursue new markets for Nebraska's producers by addressing negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the budget only would complicate Farm Bill passage by maintaining the status quo on food stamps while gutting crop insurance. As the budget process continues, Congress should prioritize the programs and policies which encourage growth.