I voted in favor of the conference report on the Farm Bill because it is the best compromise that can be achieved in our divided government. The bill continues to authorize critical funds to preserve and restore the Chesapeake Bay through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. This will allow states in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, including Virginia, to continue to work with the Federal government to ensure that future generations are able to enjoy the Bay. Additionally, the bill includes increased investments in our nations food banks, which will help ensure that more families can get access to nutritious foods in times of need. According to CBO, this compromise will save approximately $16.6 billion on the deficit over the next decade through closing a loophole in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and repealing the direct payment program for farmers. The modest savings in the nutrition assistance program are achieved by closing a loophole related to how Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program payments interact with the nutrition benefit calculation. For Virginians, this change will not have any impact on nutrition assistance beneficiaries. It should be noted, however, that we would not have even needed to squeeze money out of nutrition assistance had we not passed the 2013 fiscal cliff deal, which added $3.9 trillion to the deficit over the next decade. Nevertheless, compared to the draconian $40 billion cut to the nutrition assistance program favored by House Republicans, I believe that these savings in this compromise bill are the least harmful and will ensure that the program continues to assist families that need it the most.
Posted on: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 16:37:50 +0000
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