Senate Ag Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D., Mich.) addressed issues associated with the Farm Bill and the SNAP program on the floor today.
A video replay, and remarks as prepared for delivery are available below.
Senator Debbie Stabenow
Remarks on Nutrition Assistance
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Remarks as prepared for delivery
Mr. President, I rise today to talk about the relentless assault on the poor and hungry in this country that’s being waged right now in the House of Representatives and too often here on the Senate floor.
A news release today from Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D., N.D.) indicated that, “Heitkamp, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor calling on the House to stop its efforts to slash nutrition assistance programs – a key component of the Farm Bill – which could derail passage of a long-term, comprehensive Farm Bill and put millions of farmers, ranchers, and low-income families at risk.
“‘It has been six years since we have passed a long-term Farm Bill. The Senate passed a bipartisan, comprehensive bill which I proudly supported. But the House seems willing to throw it all away,’ said Heitkamp. ‘Just a few days ago, I met with North Dakota students and parents who benefit from the very nutrition assistance programs the House wants to drastically cut. These programs provide lifelines to low-income families – offering healthier school meals, and helping parents learn to cook healthier without it costing more. We don’t live in a country that rips food safety-net programs out from under children and families who need them.'”
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Posted by Keith Good • September, 18, 2013 • 8:11 pm
On the House floor today, Ag Committee member Jim McGovern (D., Mass.) discussed hunger issues and legislation related to the SNAP program (food stamps).
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Posted by Keith Good • September, 18, 2013 • 12:20 pm
Tom Cherveny reported this week at the West Central Tribune (Willmar, Minn.) Online that, “U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., told about two dozen farmers Monday in Montevideo that he remains pessimistic about passing a Farm Bill by the end of the month, when the current legislation expires.”
The article noted that, “Peterson, the ranking minority member on the House Agriculture Committee, said he and Republican chairman Rep. Frank Lucas of Oklahoma ‘are going to try to figure out how to get this done.’”
Mr. Cherveny indicated that, “Peterson said southern states used to elect representatives who were concerned about agriculture. However, he said, the last two elections saw winners emerge from the South who could not ‘care less about farmers.’”
The article pointed out that, “Peterson said corn prices this year could fall below $4 a bushel, based on projections of a big crop. If the following year also produces a bumper crop, and $3.50-a-bushel corn, that becomes the maximum price at which farmers could insure their income. ‘You won’t be able to insure your crop at a level where you can make a profit,’ he said.”
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Posted by Keith Good • September, 18, 2013 • 8:24 pm 