With protections retained for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) last week voted to pass the conference report for Farm Bill 2018, which contains the provisions governing the nation’s food stamp program for low-income Americans.
“I was proud to support the updated Farm Bill, which passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said on Dec. 14.
The U.S. House of Representatives on Dec. 12 voted 369-47 to approve the conference report, which a day earlier received U.S. Senate approval, 87-13. The report details changes the chambers made to the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, H.R. 2. The bill was sent to President Donald Trump to be signed into law.
H.R. 2 reauthorizes through fiscal year 2023 and modifies U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs, as well as agriculture and nutrition policies, according to the congressional record summary. Specifically, provisions in H.R. 2 address not only critical measures for ranchers and farmers, but also SNAP, among other items.
Rep. Fitzpatrick earlier broke with the GOP and voted against previous versions of Farm Bill 2018 because the bill would have restricted SNAP participation. In his 8th District, more than 16,000 households rely on the program, he said, citing USDA figures.
SNAP, the congressman added, “serves as our nation’s most effective anti-hunger program. The updated measure ensures that the thousands of families, including our community’s children, seniors and veterans, maintain the support they need to raise themselves out of poverty.”
U.S. Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA), vice chairman of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, commended his colleague’s support of the measure.
“Agriculture is Pennsylvania’s No. 1 industry, and thanks to Congressman Fitzpatrick’s vote in favor of this five-year Farm Bill we can continue to ensure that the Commonwealth remains a national leader,” said Rep. Thompson last week. “He has been a strong advocate for this important legislation that impacts the lives of everyone in the country.”
Rep. Fitzpatrick also noted that Farm Bill 2018 “reauthorizes much-needed assistance programs for our local farmers and producers.”
For example, the bill protects crop insurance and helps combat “the predatory practices of foreign countries,” according to a summary provided by Fitzpatrick’s office, and the bill supports new farmers and ranchers through numerous programs aimed at incentivizing ongoing agricultural endeavors.