Ag Policy Blog

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., said Tuesday she won't agree to limiting updates to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or cuts to the climate-smart conservation measures in the Inflation Reduction Act as part of a new farm bill, Politico reported.

"I'm not going to do it," Stabenow said. "So, if that means we continue the policies of the 2018 farm bill, which were pretty good if I do say so myself, then that's OK."

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack nodded in agreement as he sat next to Stabenow, Politico reported.

"God, you're tough. That's great," Vilsack said after Stabenow spoke.

Vilsack and Stabenow were at the White House for the release of 141 commitments from stakeholders across the nation, including health systems, insurers, companies, nonprofits, philanthropic groups, academia, and local elected officials as part of the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities.

Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff announced the commitments at an event at the White House alongside Vilsack, White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden; White House Office of Public Engagement Director Stephen Benjamin; and chef Jose Andres and basketball player Elena Delle Donne, chairs of the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.

UNCERTAINTY OVER USDA, FDA SHUTDOWN CONTINUES

Despite a White House meeting of congressional leaders with President Biden on Tuesday, it's still unclear whether leaders will hammer out a deal to keep government agencies including the Agriculture Department and the Food and Drug Administration open after Friday, when a continuing resolution funding those agencies expires at midnight.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, told reporters that she believes text of a bill to fund agencies could be released Wednesday, but media reports said the resolution is still up to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who represents some members who say they wouldn't mind a shutdown.

A spokesperson for Johnson said late tonight that leaders would only resort to a stopgap funding patch as part of a larger agreement to finish some of the 12 spending bills, Politico reported.

Also see, "Clock Ticks on Federal Budget Impasse, Affects Farmer Signup for USDA Programs,"

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Jerry Hagstrom can be reached at jhagstrom@nationaljournal.com

Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @hagstromreport

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