The House Ag Committee is pushing ahead with President Trump’s tax cut bill. They met last night to mark up key language tied to SNAP and farm security. The debate featured sharp disagreements over food assistance policy, but also moments of reflection.
Representative Dusty Johnson from South Dakota responded directly to concerns, acknowledging the emotion in the room.
“I know that periodically we all get wound up. We care about these issues. They’re important. And because they’re important, I think we want to try to speak in ways that do that, that illuminates the way forward with truth rather than just with political spin. And I would close, Mr. Chairman, by a quote from a former senator and a former president of the United States who said this. The culture of welfare must be replaced by the culture of work. The culture of dependence must be replaced by the culture of self-sufficiency and personal responsibility. And the culture of permanence must no longer be a way of life.”
The further proceeds of the amendment were voted on, and discussions will continue today. Senator Chuck Grassley told ag reporters that it really comes down to just two big budget issues, and if lawmakers can settle those, the rest of the bill should fall into place.
“If you’re dealing with food stamps on the one hand and compromise on reference prices for farmers on the other hand, then when you come to everything else that is in the farm bill is relatively nonpolitical, there should be agreement to get it done regardless of where food stamps and reference prices come out.”
Grassley also weighed in on the ongoing trade negotiations with China. He said it is unlikely the U.S. will fully recover the soybean market share lost after the 2019 tariffs, but there is potential for gradual improvement as talks continue.
