Farm Bill with Problematic SNAP Provisions Fails; Congress to Try Again Next Week

On Friday, May 18, 2018, the U.S. House of Representatives voted against its own version of the Farm Bill, by a 213 to 198 vote, due to the conservative House Freedom Caucus’ frustration with not receiving concessions on a future immigration bill in return for its support of the Farm Bill. ANCOR opposed the Farm Bill because it contained unreasonable cuts to SNAP benefits on which many people with disabilities and their service providers rely.

According to The Hill:

“When, or if, the farm bill is revived will likely depend on if Ryan and his leadership team are able to meet the demands from the House Freedom Caucus, who broke rank after they didn’t get a vote on a conservative immigration bill spearheaded by Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Michael McCaul (R-Texas) before the farm bill was taken up.

The two issues will likely dominate the caucus’s weekly closed-door meeting on Tuesday [May 22, 2018].”

If the House decides to reconsider this bill, a vote could be scheduled as early as next week. ANCOR will keep members informed of new developments on this bill.