This statement can be attributed to Olivia Golden, executive director of the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP).

Today, Senators Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced the Agriculture Improvement Act, also known as the 2018 farm bill. We applaud Agriculture Committee Chairman Roberts and Ranking Member Stabenow for protecting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as part of this major legislation. Unlike the House farm bill, which would slash access to SNAP, the Senate version shows a commitment to decades of bipartisanship in crafting a farm bill that works for everyone

The Senate’s draft legislation reinforces what we know about SNAP: it is an efficient, effective program crucial to the lives of millions of Americans. By rejecting harmful proposals that have been circulated in the House, Senators Roberts and Stabenow have committed to ensuring that the farm bill will continue to be bipartisan.

Partisan politics has no place in the conversation about food access for millions of children, families, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and others who need extra help to put food on the table. 

We are encouraged by the Senate bill and Senator Roberts’ promise of continued bipartisan engagement.