Washington DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released a statement following the Senate’s farm bill vote:
“I have fought for years to enact a comprehensive Farm bill and I certainly support the goal of a comprehensive Farm bill to provide long-term certainty for our farmers. I commend Chairwoman Stabenow for her tireless work to get this bill across the goal line. She managed the very difficult task of negotiating a bill that advanced without some of the most egregious and draconian proposals and for that reason I believe the bill deserved a vote. The bill also includes some very good policies including specialty crop provisions that are good for Pennsylvania that I worked to enact. Nonetheless, the bill includes significant cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program that will have a devastating impact on Pennsylvanians. According to the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger, as a result of these changes 175,000 Pennsylvanian households will lose, on average, $65 for food each month. The SNAP program plays a critical role in the battle against hunger for children, seniors and families across our Commonwealth and throughout our nation. For every dollar invested in this program, it is estimated that the economy gets $1.75 in return. The program fuels consumer spending while providing much needed nutrition for 1.7 million Pennsylvanians. Therefore, I could not support this bill.”
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