presidential paradigms
However Painful, SNAP Needs to be Reformed
Charles Wilfong, President, West Virginia Farm Bureau
One of the biggest issues
in the agriculture community
today is the passage of a new
five-year farm bill. The farm
bill sets the guidelines for
agricultural spending by the
federal government. The most
contentious obstacle to passage
of a new farm bill is the Food
Stamp program or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program). SNAP funding currently makes up
about 80% of total spending in the farm bill. This could
make you wonder why we even call it a “farm bill” when
only 20% or less is spent on farm programs.
Historically, the inclusion of food stamp funding was
used as a means to get urban Congressional support
for farm programs. Today, it seems as though roles are
almost reversed and the farm program spending is used
as a way to secure rural support for this out-of-control
welfare program.
The Senate-passed version of the new farm bill
includes some adjustments and cuts to actual farm
programs, but does little or nothing to rein-in SNAP
spending. Many of the ag provision in the House
version are similar to those in the Senate bill. However,
the House bill actually strengthens crop insurance
support and retains virtually all conservation funding.
The main difference between the two versions is the
treatment of SNAP as a separate proposal by the House.
Conservatives want to deal with SNAP separately,
so they can make some muc