House Democrats proposed on Monday a $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package that included a one-year increase of SNAP benefits by 15 percent, $1 billion in payments to livestock and specialty crop producers and a requirement for USDA to report to Congress in advance of major outlays.
“Democrats are making good on our promise to compromise with this updated bill, which is necessary to address the immediate health and economic crisis facing America’s working families right now,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in remarks aimed at the White House and Senate Republicans. In May, the House passed coronavirus legislation totaling $3.4 trillion
The White House repeatedly blocked to a temporary increase in SNAP benefits in previous coronavirus bills. Backers say an increase is the most efficient way to respond to hunger and also will stimulate the economy. The new bill also increases WIC benefits and USDA reimbursements to schools for the cost of emergency meals.
Under the bill, USDA would gain the authority to compensate livestock and poultry producers who were forced to cull animals due to supply chain disruptions, as happened last spring when packing plants slowed production due to coronavirus outbreaks among workers. The bill also would require USDA to notify lawmakers of plans for major outlays. The administration has spent more than $33 billion since 2018 in one-time-only programs that it created on its own and funded by drawing cash from a USDA agency that has few limits on its operations.
A summary of the bill is available here.
The text of the bill is available here.