The House has rejected a five year, half-trillion-dollar farm bill that would have cut $2 billion annually from food stamps and let states impose broad new work requirements on those who receive them.
The vote was 234-195 against the bill. Sixty-two Republicans voted no, while 24 Democrats voted in favor of the bill.
Members of both parties had signaled opposition to the food stamp cuts in the bill.
Many Republicans say the cuts are not enough; the food stamp program has doubled in cost over the last five years to almost $80 billion a year and now helps to feed 1 in 7 Americans.
Liberals oppose any reductions in food stamps, contending that the House plan could remove as many as 2 million needy recipients from the rolls.
United Fresh Produce Association expressed disappointment.
"We felt we had a very strong bill for specialty crops that was supported by members from both sides of the aisle," said Robert Guenther, United Fresh senior vice president of public policy. "We strongly encourage the House Leadership and the House Agriculture Committee to get back together and bring back to the House floor a bill that can pass before the current extension expires at the end of September."
SOURCE: Local News 8, United Fresh Produce Association
http://www.localnews8.com/news/house-rejects-farm-bill/-/308662/20649552/-/2fxh1e/-/index.html