Latest on the Farm Bill

A five-year farm bill that cuts $4.1 billion from SNAP quickly cleared the Senate Agriculture Committee Tuesday, despite sparring between Midwest and Southern Republicans over revisions in the commodity title. The 15-5 roll call sets up what could be a cantankerous Senate floor debate this month, and Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow appears to be betting that farm-state Republicans will ultimately come together long enough to get to past the 60-vote threshold required to overcome protracted delays. The House Ag Committee passed it version late the following evening on a bipartisan 36-10 vote. The committee voted 27-17 to uphold an estimated $20.5 billion in 10-year savings from nutrition programs, chiefly affecting SNAP. Nearly 2 million beneficiaries could be dropped from the food stamp rolls as a result, which would reinstate a $2,000 federal asset test that has not been adjusted for inflation since it was first imposed in the 1980s. Senate floor debate is expected to begin next week, and if the House can act in June,

The Senate bill achieves its savings from changes to “heat and eat” rules, which allow states to coordinate the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHAEP) with SNAP benefits for those who may otherwise have to choose between maintaining their home energy costs or purchasing food. These changes would result in reduced SNAP benefits for many households, particularly those with elderly and disabled family members who would otherwise receive minimal SNAP benefits. In addition to cutting “heat and eat,” the House bill would eliminate broad-based categorical eligibility, a state option that allows the alignment of SNAP eligibility with other low-income programs.  According to a Congressional Budget Office analysis, eliminating broad-based categorical eligibility would cut off SNAP for 1.8 million individuals and undermine access to free school meals for 280,000 low-income children.

Sources: Politico, 5/14/13, Farm Bill and House Bill; Center for Law and Social Policy, 5/13/13, SNAP Cuts