Farm Bill Passed Without Overhaul of Nutrition Programs

(WASHINGTON, DC) Part of the House and Senate struggle on a farm bill compromise fell in the lap of a House Republican proposal to overhaul the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the modern-day version of food stamps. The lower chamber wanted tighter work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents. The measure led every Democratic member in the House to originally vote against the bill, but it was stripped out of the compromise legislation with the Senate. Today, though work requirements are in place, 36 states and territories have waivers for the rules. Only 17 states operate with no waivers. The Trump Administration is expected to announce tighter requirements for state waivers sometime this week, aimed at stopping the abuse of the system by states.