[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6240996,"mediaKeyId","3312831-8f3ef0a9322a26a531c39ce4fc641dba","parentId",3312831,"title","House agriculture markup erupts over $313 billion SNAP cuts and new work rules, including proposed age change for dependents","audioSeconds",1461,"startMs",2691000,"endMs",4152000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312831-8f3ef0a9322a26a531c39ce4fc641dba&start=2691&end=4152","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312831-8f3ef0a9322a26a531c39ce4fc641dba/thumbnail_2691000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6240996/House-agriculture-markup-erupts-over-313-billion-SNAP-cuts-and-new-work-rules-including-proposed-age-change-for-dependents","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6240996-a68701dc86b6bf21e0309cce0ddc88f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500810&Signature=HUc5yU1SAp86wudMJobqwHQvnorhkDB5rVh4y-nNs27RmtwM6~pYULS2xo8tw~ymujACDjjES2t3LIe92gdoKMuKnNq9z4oKjh2oUrsL8eDOUES33GrsFBX~H~2iPEn2v-0I0INUwzEAZtZeC58nWvbXD-i0FqYKpqNBBwZ6JSyZIU3Ei1oz0RM-wTbGRU~yKUnmGC7sDtXfHlB8BU2kpDQLinwIPM3FwN8JYcS1VHFioaBeR~vI2TsUpBN3lAUdzX7VyaLmiX1uftV~JzTl1shGIWhPwseR3p6VnIJcTQiiU6S-T7fkwtrhkuZPIViGcwnaYsvCJp10QTmodmTsVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. House Committee on Agriculture","date","2025-05-15T02:07:24Z","article","A contentious markup of a reconciliation package before the House Agriculture Committee on Oct. 11 turned into a sustained fight over proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and new work requirements, including a proposal to redefine the age of a dependent child from 18 to 7.

Representative David Scott, who offered an amendment to strike reductions in SNAP funding, led opening remarks on the amendment and the stakes for recipients and veterans. \"It is an insult to the intelligence of the American people ... You cannot take $300,000,000,000 out of a food program serving our veterans, our senior citizens, and millions of children,\" Scott said, calling on colleagues to oppose cuts (first introduced at 44:51:31 in the transcript). He argued the bill would take food away from people who rely on modest SNAP benefits.

The committee’s debate quickly widened beyond the dollars and centered on new work rules in the text. Representative Kim Schrier and Representative Joyce Beatty among others described provisions that would expand time-limited participation and institute or expand work requirements for adults up to a higher age range, while Representative Kat Cammack and Representative Dusty LaMalfa argued work requirements restore program integrity. A particularly heated flashpoint was Representative Shontel Brown’s amendment to remove a provision that would have defined a dependent child as under age 7 instead of under 18; proponents of Brown’s change called the proposal \"cruel\" and likely to force single parents and caregivers to lose benefits and leave young children without care, while some supporters of the age change said aligning definitions with school attendance would create opportunities for parents to engage in education, training, volunteer or work options.

Democratic members repeatedly described the combined effects of cuts and new time limits as a direct hit to low-income families, older adults and veterans. Representative James McGovern argued the bill would make hunger “a political condition” and highlighted what he said were the real-world impacts of cutting modest assistance that averages about $2 per person per meal and roughly $6 per household per day in some statements provided on the record.

The committee held recorded votes on the amendments Scott and other Democrats offered; the Scott amendment (Amendment 18) was voted down by the committee. The roll calls recorded late-night tallies that were frequently 25–29 on many amendments offered by Democrats in opposition to the reconciliation SNAP changes.

Why it matters: SNAP is the federal government’s principal food assistance program. Committee members warned that the changes — both the multi-hundred-billion-dollar cuts in the underlying reconciliation text and the added paperwork and state cost-shifts in proposed work rules — could reduce benefits for millions and shift costs to states that may not have the budgets to make up the difference.

Discussion vs. decision: The session produced many amendments and recorded votes. Representative Scott’s amendment to strike SNAP reductions failed on a committee recorded vote (committee tally: 25–29). Several Democratic amendments to protect particular groups — for example, to exclude veterans and surviving military families from new time limits — were debated and later postponed for recorded votes.

Ending: Committee members from both parties asked for broader hearings and more time to evaluate the effects of the proposed policy changes. Several Democrats urged the panel to pursue the nutrition and farm titles through regular order so stakeholders and experts could be heard before major policy changes were enacted. The committee proceeded with further votes and postponements late into the evening.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","SNAP Integrity and Farm Security Full Committee Markup Part 2","oneSentenceSummary","A contentious markup of a reconciliation bill on Oct. 11 saw House Agriculture Committee members clash over roughly $313 billion in proposed SNAP cuts and a package of expanded work requirements — including a proposal to redefine the age of a dependent child as under 7 — with Democrats arguing the changes would force families, veterans and seniors off the program and some Republicans saying work and accountability are needed.","taxTitle","Agriculture: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1977,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6240983,"Rep. Davids’ amendment to rehire fired NBAF staff raises national-security and local-job concerns",22,4798000,4820000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312831-8f3ef0a9322a26a531c39ce4fc641dba&start=4798&end=4820","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312831-8f3ef0a9322a26a531c39ce4fc641dba/thumbnail_4798000.jpg","/articles/6240983/Rep-Davids-amendment-to-rehire-fired-NBAF-staff-raises-national-security-and-local-job-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6240983-91494f16d66408cd6ae67b1dc591e6d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500809&Signature=Qzi89XuMBfYhBmw6rBHmgT4dQo3EvaQI9~v7HOKSonyJTZsGJMphtrVqtXJeEYBBNxvFM8OMsYJVAVpm93OZ6qi8sm8enAFLMR2KCfE1sxzTgDRhxtkhi9v6RyPfv3V634aLc4LsDRlYFmtdUgeTgDbln0UD2uTeAsVmtFLDiyL9MFszvxDmy5jQFdtwXD8yUm7YB4zUHjrejOaOxM-Xc8H5OriDO5ViIckXVACx1oaFe4xnalyzurL8s1jUy-9TW4687ZN6oEgp~KcI8c~cPhEkA6PB5H5G7RuCA5zEKR~Tg16xY4ayaCnf9KRWBXYpFvSBy5ajdMI0lZm8qKBU5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members pressed for rehiring and staffing protections at the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas, after committee testimony and statements that the Trump administration had terminated a number of employees at the site.

Representative Sharice Davids said terminations had disrupted NBAF operations and jeopardized the facility’s mission to study high-risk animal diseases. \"NBAF is the first biosafety level 4 facility focused on livestock and it is meant to protect American agriculture,\" Davids said, and warned that losing trained staff would undermine the facility’s launch and continuity. She offered an amendment that would require rehiring qualified personnel who had been terminated and provide the facility direct-hire authority to fill vacancies created by departures.

Why it matters: NBAF conducts research on high-consequence animal diseases with potential economic and public-health consequences. Members argued that workforce continuity is essential to maintaining operational security and preventing outbreaks from threatening producers and consumers.

Discussion vs. decision: Members debated whether the committee should direct rehiring or let the executive branch manage the facility’s staffing decisions. The sponsor withdrew the amendment rather than force a recorded vote; members requested further information from USDA and Department of Homeland Security on staffing decisions and impacts.

Ending: Committee leaders said they would continue oversight of staffing, and members representing Kansas and other agricultural states urged follow-up briefings and a tracking of hiring plans so NBAF could begin safe, scientifically rigorous operations.

","A proposal to require rehiring of terminated employees at the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility drew support from members representing agricultural districts who said the lab is mission-critical for protecting animals, crops and public health.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6240984,"Committee debate presses for more federal agricultural research funding as members decry program cuts",316,36545000,36861000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312831-8f3ef0a9322a26a531c39ce4fc641dba&start=36545&end=36861","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312831-8f3ef0a9322a26a531c39ce4fc641dba/thumbnail_36545000.jpg","/articles/6240984/Committee-debate-presses-for-more-federal-agricultural-research-funding-as-members-decry-program-cuts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6240984-de66d43ea6e0a65befdc45103a6c97ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500809&Signature=JS9kMUdjVM3METBv2SIkeATUF1HC2D2d6w1xnHPt-d53~RAfGEu~Lv33DcRum9lSQNAwrnq~b23EjB0bIYf7NNcjkzMpEenOuJLAKum07zw0dpqLUvzg9JpYcjeP6gWlZgI48cVYVwunux9aQqTFNVCqXoie98qAhd9By-FbcqB5FkSbRS-cmtHXNJfBopCHtTU437wUFqh3xI~ACmbN6yEOs5-On58IJhad0~HZM3qN8q0bek0JOOgV3alMqhBYN3dh3UHYvxAW1Aal97MsMWzM36q528hPJTVJG3s1XAI6vdZNAYQQ3uChVrP4eD96EJ7Ozz43EDMzquYQAlCKqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Agriculture Committee members from both parties pressed for more federal investment in agricultural research during the reconciliation markup, saying U.S.-funded research underpins long-term farm productivity and national food security.

Representative Cheri Bustos (and other members including Representative Alma Adams and Representative Angie Craig) urged the committee to protect and increase funding for land-grant research, the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Economic Research Service (ERS). \"Every dollar invested in public agricultural research returns many-fold in economic benefits,\" several members said, citing committee witnesses and widely-cited USDA analyses.

Republican and Democratic members offered amendments seeking increased mandatory funding for targeted programs — for example, Representative Figgers and others proposed higher funding for specialty crop research and for AgARDA (the agricultural version of an ARPA-style authority). Members warned that China and other countries have rapidly increased public R&D investment and that U.S. competitiveness would suffer if federal research funding drops.

Why it matters: Committee members repeatedly described agricultural research as integral to national security, rural economic development and innovation. Several members tied research funding to climate-resilient crops, pest and disease defenses and supply-chain resilience.

Discussion vs. decision: Multiple amendments increasing research funding were discussed at length but were not adopted in committee votes. Committee leaders noted that authorization levels and appropriations are distinct processes and that the appropriations committees are the usual avenue for annual research funding increases.

Ending: Members asked committee staff and USDA to produce briefings describing current research investments, gaps, and the proposed consequences of reductions. Lawmakers also asked for a dialog on whether reconciliation — rather than regular authorizations and appropriations — is the correct vehicle for major, permanent research funding changes.

","Several members urged increased investment in agricultural research programs — ARS, NIFA, ERS and land-grant universities — after testimony and wide discussion that federal research spending has lagged global competitors such as China. Amendments proposing mandatory funding increases were debated but not adopted in markup.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6240991,"Local food purchase and school food programs cut amid budget rewriting, farmers and food banks report cancelled contracts",189,13580000,13769000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312831-8f3ef0a9322a26a531c39ce4fc641dba&start=13580&end=13769","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312831-8f3ef0a9322a26a531c39ce4fc641dba/thumbnail_13580000.jpg","/articles/6240991/Local-food-purchase-and-school-food-programs-cut-amid-budget-rewriting-farmers-and-food-banks-report-cancelled-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6240991-a7d5ca19616df7d2ba6f2d47646687a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500809&Signature=kbp075NKZFTCg4QWCBwEqmfy7yYXseR5aC4Y~-bZ5GALvtspxhh-XppNmQ6EXSA2TNV0FT~YSDgD9Hkob79xZofHJssaXzeoQ9pPJuBqR7mluLrkKWNKQrxtQgWx1AWbiID2ArNdEw9djmJW4MLjX2dmfftPV9mwy4GeC9pQTSd2Clv7NKe2V2YaODSmHwYnrtbmNzUTLcN42r91QTSIHEDVb4nPCQ1zGvhNU-k4Zt7cbMJc-08kk9sLqGKExZPwh4uDkEGiYR63Jg5Kp~h8PYGBQlpukLQfk~U3NgU6J0ZjGErlhcHmQ~hkGeT3vkNEuDj7wJaGcHECs~4DKmfuwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lawmakers on the House Agriculture Committee pressed USDA on abrupt cancellations of local food programs that had been created or expanded during the pandemic and that funneled federal purchases to local farmers and food banks.

Representatives Riley (NY), Takuda (HI), Thanedar (MI) and others described contracts that had been signed and work that local farmers and food banks had undertaken in reliance on federal purchases. Representative Riley told the committee he had already visited food banks and farmers in upstate New York and urged colleagues to restore the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) and Local Food for Schools programs that the USDA had canceled. \"These programs were delivering fresh, local food to children and food banks and supporting small producers,\" Riley said; he and other members said producers had had contracts canceled and warehouses left empty within weeks (see transcript excerpts anchored at 13:45:20–14:10:00).

Representative Takuda, who represents Hawaii, warned that remote and island communities are particularly vulnerable to sudden program eliminations and listed dollar impacts for a number of states and institutions; she said LFPA and related emergency food purchases supported land-grant universities and NGOs in 49 states and territories and that cancellations had already terminated hundreds of thousands of pounds of purchased produce in states such as Maine, Pennsylvania, Texas and California.

Why it matters: LFPA and the Local Food for Schools cooperative agreement had been used to channel federal procurement dollars to small and mid-sized farmers while providing fresh produce to schools and food banks. Committee members described lost revenue for producers and gaps in distribution for food programs serving high-need communities.

Discussion vs. decision: Members debated amendments to reinstate the programs’ funding. Representative Riley said he would withdraw an amendment in return for bipartisan negotiations; other members offered amendments to restore both LFPA and Local Food for Schools funding. Votes on several of those amendments were later held or postponed; the committee did not adopt the Democratic amendments on the floor during the late-night session.

Ending: Several members urged working across the aisle to restore the local-purchase programs in this or a future bill, and to insist the USDA complete a review and provide a plan for how to honor contracts that were already signed or to minimize disruptions. Multiple members said they intended to continue pressing the department and the majority to find bipartisan solutions before the bill proceeds in the House.

","Committee debate highlighted abrupt USDA cancellations of two COVID-era programs — Local Food Purchase Assistance and the Local Food for Schools cooperative agreement — and members from both parties described lost contracts, emptied warehouse orders and food banks and farmers suddenly unpaid.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House agriculture markup erupts over $313 billion SNAP cuts and new work rules, including proposed age change for dependents

Rep. Davids’ amendment to rehire fired NBAF staff raises national-security and local-job concerns

Committee debate presses for more federal agricultural research funding as members decry program cuts

Local food purchase and school food programs cut amid budget rewriting, farmers and food banks report cancelled contracts