Farm Bill Faces Delay Over Dispute on 2021 SNAP Benefit Increase
According to The Center Square, a disagreement over food stamp benefits is delaying the approval of the new Farm Bill. The Democratic Women’s Caucus wrote a letter to U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, asking him to keep a 2021 update that raised monthly SNAP benefits. They argue that the current plan would cut $30 billion from SNAP over the next ten years, hurting single-parent families, especially those led by women.
Pennsylvania Democratic U.S. Rep. Susan Wild criticized the proposed changes, saying they would weaken important nutrition programs that families need. She believes that in a wealthy country, no one should go hungry because they can’t afford food. The disagreement is mainly about a change made during the Biden administration that increased SNAP benefits by 21%, adding $256 billion to the bill’s total cost.
READ ALSO: $1,907 a Month: The Reality of Social Security in Retirement – Will It Be Enough for Boomers?
$256 Billion in Benefits at Stake: Farm Bill Talks Stalled Over SNAP Dispute (PHOTO: Austin American-Statesman)
GOP Pushes to Roll Back 2021 SNAP Benefits in Farm Bill, Citing Political Motivations
Republican U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, who wrote the bill, says the proposed “cut” would just bring SNAP benefits back to where they were before 2021. He argues that the 2021 increase was rushed and based on politics. While the Republican-led House supports rolling back the benefits, the Democrat-led Senate wants to keep the 2021 changes, with some senators saying it will help lift millions of people out of poverty.
READ ALSO: $6, $3, and $1 Savings: How Walmart’s Affordable Options and Special Deals Help EBT and SNAP Users Stretch Their Budget
