2018 Farm Bill

2018 Farm Bill

Rick Worthington
Rick Worthington
Every five years, a bipartisan farm bill is passed by Congress that impacts people nationwide.

A draft of the legislation was released by the House Agriculture Committee. While the bill is welcomed by many, some called it a betrayal to rural families.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Michael Conaway (R-Texas) said, the farm bill already has some critics.

"The farm bill keeps faith with our nation's farmers and ranchers through the current agriculture recession by providing certainty and helping producers manage the enormous risks that are inherent in agriculture," Conaway said. "The farm bill also remains faithful to the American taxpayer and consumer."

The recent release of the bill, "marks a key milestone," in the revamp of the current farm bill, which is set to expire Sept. 30th.

The farm bill focuses on 10 key topics including farm policy, nutrition, trade, conservation, crop insurance, regulatory reform, rural development, animal health, Specialty and organic crops and beginning farmers and ranchers.

The release of the bill also came with some criticism.

One of the concerns with the bill are amendments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

While there were 35 improvements to the program, others are worried the bill will force Americans to go hungry.

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