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The
letter written to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reflects rising
partisan tensions in Congress over the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP). The Democrats, all members of the
House Agriculture Committee, told McCarthy that continuing
Republican talk of SNAP cuts could jeopardize progress on this
year's farm bill.
"Playing partisan SNAP politics does nothing to address the
needs of our farm and ranch families who depend on the other
components of the farm bill," Representative David Scott, the
panel's senior Democrat, and the other lawmakers wrote.
They asked McCarthy to let the panel "work its will, and then
respect the product that we hope comes out of our process later
this fall."
Republicans secured expanded work requirements for SNAP
recipients as part of the deal negotiated by McCarthy and
Democratic President Joe Biden this spring to raise the U.S.
debt ceiling. Democrats now are seeking to protect the program
from further cuts in the farm bill, which comes up every five
years and funds farm commodity and conservation programs as well
as SNAP and other food aid.
The letter was prompted by recent comments from McCarthy and
Representative Garret Graves, one of his top negotiators,
indicating Republicans may seek further SNAP cuts in the farm
bill or the agriculture appropriations process, according to a
Democratic committee staffer.
The agriculture committee's Republican chairman, Representative
G.T. Thompson, has said it will complete a farm bill draft by
the end of August.
The current farm bill expires on Sept. 30. With both the House
and Senate in a summer recess, the prospects of passing the
legislation on time are waning. Farm bills are often extended
for several months to allow for negotiation of a new one.
(Reporting by Leah Douglas; Editing by Will Dunham)
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