Give Now  »

Indiana Public Media | WFIU - NPR | WTIU - PBS

Farm Bill Progress, Finally

Farm land dotted with round hay bales.

Brace yourselves: There might actually be a full, five-year farm bill on the horizon.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) have both expressed a desire to see the bill through their respective chamber floors by the end of May so that legislators can shift their attention to other issues.

House: Still Focused On SNAP Cuts



The House Agriculture Committee approved a $940 billion farm bill on Wednesday, a day after the Senate Agriculture Committee passed its $955 billion version.

It would cut $40 billion from the agriculture budget over the next decade, with about half of those savings coming from a $2.5 billion annual cut to programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is commonly known as food stamps.

Senate: More Of The Same



Meanwhile, the Senate's bill -- virtually unchanged from the one passed during the last legislative session -- saves $23 billion over the next decade, mostly by consolidating agricultural programs.

Both bills eliminate direct payments to farmers, which will save about $5 billion annually.

Proposed Democratic amendments to restore SNAP funds failed to pass the House committee.

Read More:



  • Senate Panel Approves Farm Bill (New York Times)
  • Almost The Same Cost, Spent Differently: Comparing Farm Bills In The House, Senate Committees (Washington Post)
  • House Panel OKs Farm Bill With Food Stamp Cuts (NPR)
  • Congress Poised To Move On Farm Bill (National Journal)


Support For Indiana Public Media Comes From

About Earth Eats

Harvest Public Media