WASHINGTON ? Over the objections of farm groups, House Republicans are moving forward with a plan to split up the crop subsidies and food stamp programs that have traditionally been rolled together into legislation known as the farm bill.
The House has been deeply divided over what to do with food stamps, which have doubled in cost over the past five years thanks to the economic recession and administration efforts at getting more people signed up for the program.
Disagreements over food stamps were blamed for the farm bill's stunning defeat last month on the House floor.
Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., released a statement Tuesday saying that House Republican leaders had decided to bring a "stand-alone bill specifically related to the farm programs" as it was amended on the floor two weeks ago for an up-or-down vote.
"I believe this is good news for Nebraska?s farmers," Terry said.
Farm groups had opposed the move, saying it made sense to keep together the traditional coalition of urban and rural lawmakers that has passed farm bills since the 1970s.
It remains to be seen how a House farm bill with no nutrition assistance programs could be reconciled with the farm bill approved by the Senate that does have those programs.
Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., said he has traditionally not supported separating food stamps from the farm programs.
"I find it hard to see the coalition that forms to pass it, but I could be wrong," Johanns said. "They're working now to see if they've got the votes to pass a farm bill. Maybe they get it passed. I think it'll be a tough sell in the Senate. This one will be a battle all the way through."
Contact the writer: Joseph Morton
joe.morton@owh.com ?? |??
Joe is The World-Herald's Washington, D.C., bureau, covering national political developments that matter most to Midlanders.
Source: http://www.omaha.com/article/20130709/NEWS/130709640
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