Senate farm bill stalls as SNAP dispute blocks committee vote

By Sarah Davis, The Hill

The Senate Agriculture Committee failed to advance the long-delayed farm bill after a 10-11 party-line vote, delaying consideration of the legislation until lawmakers return from the August recess. The bill fell short after Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell and Tommy Tuberville were absent, leaving the committee without enough votes to move the measure forward.

The central sticking point remains proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Democrats object to requiring states to share a portion of SNAP costs, arguing states need a two-year delay to reduce payment error rates before the new funding formula takes effect.

Committee Chair John Boozman offered a one-year delay, but Democrats rejected the compromise. Boozman has said he intends to bring the bill back before the committee in September, while the House-passed version continues to await Senate action.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/6014898-senate-agriculture-committee-farm-bill-snap/