05.22.24

Scott Statement on Partisan Farm Bill Proposal

Republicans’ partisan farm bill would cut roughly half a billion dollars from a popular summer feeding program that many children and families have come to rely on.

WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement ahead of the Committee on Agriculture’s markup of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 (H.R.8467).

“During the school year, the National School Lunch Program ensures that every student who needs a nutritious meal, can receive one. Unfortunately, over the summer—when classes are not in session—many students lose access to a vital source of nutrition.

“In December of 2022, Congress enacted, and President Biden signed into law the bipartisan 2023 omnibus spending bill, which made the Summer-EBT program a permanent and nationwide program.  Since then, many states haves been gearing up to enroll students in this program to help them stay healthy during the summer.  The Summer-EBT program has the potential to deliver approximately $3.5 billion per year in nutrition assistance to over 29 million eligible children and is a proven, effective tool in combatting child hunger.

“Regrettably, Congressional Republicans are proposing to slash funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other nutrition programs by roughly $30 billion, including cutting funding for the Summer-EBT program by roughly half a billion dollars over ten years.

“This proposal in its current form makes it more difficult to provide the nutrition benefits that families need. Put simply, vulnerable families—and specifically vulnerable children—will receive less support during the summer months to purchase healthy meals and put food on the table.

“Nutrition has historically been a bipartisan issue where Members have been able to put politics aside and prioritize the needs of students. I oppose Committee Republicans partisan approach, and I urge my colleagues to reject this bill in its current form.”

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