House narrowly approves $868 billion farm bill
WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives narrowly approved a previously rejected Republican-backed $868 billion farm bill on Thursday.
The lower chamber approved the measure in a 213-211 vote.
All Democrats voted no, as did 28 Republicans.
Last month members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus followed through with a threat to withhold their votes on the farm bill until GOP leaders agreed to hold a vote on a hard-line immigration bill. That bill was defeated earlier today.
The Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 makes large cuts to the food stamp program. It requires able-bodied adults aged 18-59 to either be employed or receive employment training for at least 20 hours per week to receive food stamps. The legislation also makes cuts to crop subsidies.
Congress has reauthorized farm legislation about every five years since 1933.
The Senate is considering a farm bill that has bipartisan support.
Differences between the bills are expected to be reconciled in conference.
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) applauded passage of the farm bill.
“With the passage of this bill, we’re moving toward a poverty-fighting system where this kind of upper mobility is attainable for more Americans,” Ryan said in a statement. “This is a big deal.”
This article is republished with permission from Talk Media News
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