Rep. Vasquez Warning Republican Concerning $1.5 Trillion U.S. Farm Bill

US REP GABE VASQUEZ ARNS REPUBLICAN FARM BILL PLAN WILL TAKE FOOD OFF THE TABLE FOR NEW MEXICAN FAMILIESPhoto byAnnie SprattonUnsplash

The United States 2024 Farm Bill is the most significant piece of legislation that affects farmers and ranchers across the United States. The food and agriculture industry supports more than 48 million U.S. jobs and contributes more than $1 trillion to U.S. gross domestic product.

It plays a critical role in protecting farmers’ livelihoods and making sure Americans have safe, nutritious food, including by supporting those facing hunger. The farm bill gives farmers and ranchers the tools they need to keep our farms and food supply secure in all seasons. The farm bill funds nutrition programs like SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, as well as programs that support the U.S. agricultural sector, such as risk management, agricultural research and conservation programs. The farm bill is reauthorized every five years. Congress passed an extension of the 2018 farm bill, which will now expire on September 30, 2024. Congress must pass a modernized farm bill in order to fully protect our food, land and livelihoods.

The farm bill’s impact extends beyond the farm by protecting our nation’s food supply – providing millions of jobs; ensuring access to nutrition for families facing hunger; protecting farms from risks like weather disasters; advancing conservation efforts; and spurring innovation through agricultural research.

U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee, shared concerns about House Republicans’ partisan approach to the Farm Bill that would exacerbate food insecurity in New Mexico’s second congressional district, where one in four children are food insecure.

“Since day one, I’ve said that the Farm BillFarm Bill must help feed our families and support our farmers, ranchers and producers,” said Vasquez. “Under House Republicans’ partisan plan, hungry families in New Mexico would have their benefits cut by $340 million. That is unacceptable, and I will keep fighting to ensure New Mexican families can continue putting food on the table.”

Chairman GT Thompson’s (R-P.A.-15) Farm Bill outline proposes changes to the formula used to determine SNAP benefit amounts, which would result in a $30 billion cut to SNAP benefits nationwide.

SNAP is crucial to ensure Americans stay fed and healthy. According to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, one in five households in the district participate in SNAP. The majority of recipients are children and seniors, with an average of $2 per person, per meal.

According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the cost of farm bill-related programs is projected to be $1.46 trillion over the 10-year period from 2025 to 2034, as of February 2024. This is a 3.5% decrease from the previous 10-year baseline of $1.5 trillion. The CBO's February 2024 baseline estimates that farm bill programs will cost $682 billion over the next five years (2025–2029) and $1,401 billion over the next 10 years (2025–2034

The farm bill is the second largest piece of legislation that the U.S. government regularly passes.