WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Friday, May 18, Republicans in the House of Representatives failed to pass the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, more commonly known as the Farm Bill. The bill was defeated in a vote of 198-213 after every Democrat and 30 Republicans voted to oppose the bill. The bill would have cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by $23 billion, underfunded the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, added costs to rural development loans, and eliminated the Conservation Stewardship Program, among other provisions.

Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell releases the following statement after voting no on the GOP Farm Bill:

“The failure of the GOP Farm Bill today is proof positive this version was not only misguided but should be scrapped in favor of a truly bipartisan bill that benefits all Americans,” said Rep Sewell. “Today’s version would have made drastic cuts to food assistance for children and working families while failing to adequately support our struggling farmers.”

“SNAP is a proven pathway out of poverty for our most vulnerable families, and cutting that lifeline of support would be both cruel and short-sighted. For the 60,000 households in my district that rely on SNAP, this program means the difference between a hot meal and going to bed hungry. For our farmers and grocery stores, SNAP is an investment in our food system that creates 50,000 agricultural jobs across the country.”

“After Republicans added $2.2 trillion to the deficit with tax cuts for the wealthy, this GOP Farm Bill proposed massive cuts to benefits for hungry children and working families. The Farm Bill has traditionally been a bipartisan effort, written together by Republicans and Democrats. After today’s failure, it is my hope that we will come together and support a bipartisan Farm Bill that benefits all Americans.”

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Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama’s 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition.