House Republicans will jeopardize passage of the farm bill if they insist on cuts in food stamps, said the senior Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee on Tuesday. “If they want to pass a farm bill that supports America’s farmers and families, they need to keep their hands off SNAP,” said Rep. David Scott of Georgia.
Conservative Republicans won an expansion of the age range of so-called ABAWDs — able-bodied adults without dependents — subject to SNAP work requirements as part of the debt limit deal in June. They have pursued additional cuts in SNAP as part of the fiscal 2024 USDA-FDA funding bill. The farm bill also has been mentioned as a vehicle for cuts. In a statement, Scott said senior House Republicans “are openly sharing” their plans to weaken SNAP.
“House Democrats stand united to protect America’s food supply and reduce food insecurity,” said Scott, who has made similar statements previously about Democratic solidarity on SNAP. “Republican attacks on our most successful anti-hunger program imperil America’s food security, hungry families, and the farm bill.”
Senate Agriculture chairwoman Debbie Stabenow also opposes additional cuts to SNAP.
Earlier this week, Politico said Scott was being overshadowed by a task force created by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to respond to GOP attacks on SNAP. Scott was the first Black chairman of the Agriculture Committee.