House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson today made the following statement on the release of the House Republican Task Force proposal on poverty. The plan includes changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) under the Agriculture Committee’s jurisdiction.

“Political documents in a political year are not the answer to improving nutrition programs. This proposal is strikingly similar to amendments that nearly derailed the 2014 Farm Bill. I believe that if the House chooses to go down this path we will never be able to pass another farm bill.

“I have been supportive of the Agriculture Committee’s 14 hearings to learn more about SNAP and look at ways for the program to be improved. But this proposal’s focus on political ideology ignores the larger picture and areas where we can find some agreement. The Agriculture Committee has a tradition of working together and I hope we can continue that moving forward.”
 

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