May 2, 2008 - BREAKING NEWS ON THE FARM BILL:
Senate/House conferees approved $10.365 billion in new ten-year funding for the nutrition title of the Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) in a late night meeting last night. Conferees left open the issue of privatization of eligibility determination processes and eight non-nutrition title issues. They also noted that budget scoring due from the Congressional Budget Office may require revisiting some decisions. Another short-term extension of current farm program law (H.R. 2954) gives lawmakers until May 16th to get a reauthorization passed and signed. While behind-the-scenes negotiations are expected to continue, in the meantime conferees do not expect to reconvene for a public meeting earlier than 1pm on May 6th.
Reuters Reports on Nutrition Investments: "Two-thirds of the money in the farm bill would be spent on nutrition programs such as food stamps, the major U.S. anti-hunger program. Stewardship programs would gain $4 billion, specialty crops, $1.35 billion and biofuel development $900 million. 'These are steps that will help 10 million people,' said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Connecticut Democrat, who described changes in the food stamp program allowed by the new funding. The changes include a larger standard income deduction for food stamp recipients, raised to $144, a $10 increase, and indexed to inflation. The minimum food stamp benefit would be $14 a month, up $4, and indexed for inflation. Donations to food pantries would be raised to $240 million a year, up $100 million, and indexed to inflation.' See "White House warns farm law needs 'real reforms,'" by Charles Abbott, Reuters, 5/2/08.
Use 1-800-826-9624 to thank Members for Progress and to Build on Momentum: Call Members of Congress (via the toll-free line made available by AARP: 1-800-826-9624). Thank Members for making progress on the Farm Bill nutrition title and urge them to pass a Farm Bill with the strongest possible nutrition title, including new investments for: 1) food stamp benefit increases (especially raising and indexing the $10 minimum monthly benefit and standard deduction); 2) greater food stamp access (especially raising and indexing household asset limits); and 3) boosting purchases in The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)(raising and indexing funding).
