Rogers: The Truth About the Farm Bill

Statement

Congressman Mike Rogers made the following statement about H.R. 2, best known as the Farm Bill, and the truth about how it will affect folks across East Alabama.

"The truth is that the agriculture industry makes up over 40 percent of the economy in the State of Alabama. Every five years, Congress has to renew the Farm Bill and the policies that are critical to setting the guidelines for our farmers and producers.

"This year, the Farm Bill will reform the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by incentivizing able-bodied individuals to get work or free training to help pull themselves out of poverty. This does not apply to children, the elderly, expectant mothers, disabled or caretakers of children.

"The Farm Bill also provides meaningful support this year for Land Grant universities like Auburn and Tuskegee. It also helps bring quality broadband service to rural areas - like much of East Alabama - by incentivizing providers to offer the technology," Rogers said.

The Farm Bill is on the House Floor this week. "I was also pleased my amendment was included, the SNAP Vitamin and Mineral Improvement Act," Rogers added. It would allow low-income Americans to purchase a daily multivitamin-mineral supplement with their SNAP benefits to make sure they are getting their daily nutrients and add choices to SNAP while not changing the costs.

Rogers is a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee and the only member from the State of Alabama.

Source