Washington - This morning, the House passed a $956 billion food stamp and farm bill. Heritage Action released the following statement from chief executive officer Michael A. Needham:
Nearly 18 months ago, conservatives made a simple request: instead of combining farm policy and food stamps into a single legislative vehicle, Congress should begin advancing one issue at a time. For decades, the unholy alliance created by combining these disparate policies caused exponential growth in spending and stifled serious attempts at reform. When the House defeated a status quo bill this past summer, we were optimistic meaningful reforms were within reach if Congress chose to separate and start over.
Unfortunately, the unholy alliance - backed by more than $100 million - fought back. Despite repeated assurances, negotiators failed to stagger reauthorizations for the agriculture and food stamp titles, or secure other widely accepted conservative reforms. Nonetheless, Congress - and more importantly many Americans - have engaged in a robust conversation about the future of America's agriculture sector and the massive expansion of the food stamp program.
Just because this Congress missed a real chance to have a farm-only farm bill and begin the process of enacting much-needed reforms doesn't mean our work has stopped. Over the next several years, we will continue building a coalition committed to reform, and bringing America's policies into the 21st Century.