Lujan Grisham Votes for Farm Bill

Statement

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, today released the following statement after voting for the Agricultural Act of 2014 (H.R. 2642), the farm bill conference report, which passed the House by a vote of 251-166:

"After years of uncertainty, New Mexico's farmers and ranchers are finally poised to gain the stability and security of a five-year farm bill. As the stewards of one of our state's largest industries, agriculture producers take great risks to provide America and the world with a safe, high-quality food supply. This legislation helps ensure that a year of bad crops, a drought or an environmental disaster will not bankrupt New Mexico's farming and ranching families.

"The farm bill includes several priorities I fought for as a member of the House Agriculture Committee. For example, it provides disaster assistance for New Mexico ranchers who have suffered from severe and prolonged drought, enhances vital economic safeguards for our state's dairy producers and strengthens conservation programs.

"I am also pleased that the farm bill extends funding for PILT, providing much-needed relief to New Mexico communities. This crucial program helps counties avoid budget shortfalls and supports education, public safety, infrastructure improvements and economic development throughout the state.

"But like any compromise legislation, this bill falls short in certain areas. At a time when hunger and poverty continue to plague small towns and big cities across America, it is unconscionable that this bill cuts $8.6 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. And while I am pleased that none of these SNAP cuts directly affect New Mexico beneficiaries, the reality is that hunger and poverty are exploding in our state, and we must do more. Congress should be expanding nutrition assistance, not slashing it. I will continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle until no child in New Mexico goes to sleep hungry, no veteran struggles to feed their family, no senior citizen has to choose between food and prescriptions, and no one in this country is living in poverty."

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