Home > FRAC 2007 Farm Bill Food Stamp Reauthorization Center > Action Alert - 9/13/07

RE: 2007 Farm Bill Legislative and Nutrition Program Priorities Update

With Senate Agriculture Committee markup of the nutrition title of the 2007 Farm Bill expected in the coming weeks, we urge you to join us now in our Senate campaign to build on the $4 billion, five-year investment contained in the House-passed nutrition title of H.R. 2419 (click here for the Congressional Research Service (CRS) summary of Title IV, the Nutrition Title of the House bill).

Recapping Farm Bill Action
Nutrition Title of House Bill a Good Start:
Prior to its August adjournment, the House, on July 27 by a vote of 231 to 191, approved the Farm, Nutrition and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (H.R. 2419) (the "Farm Bill"), which, among other provisions, invests $4 billion over five years to improve Food Stamp Program benefits and access, and to raise funding for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).

Senate Outlook: As action shifts to the Senate, Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) continues to work with Senate colleagues to negotiate financing which will provide new spending for the nutrition title and other Farm bill priorities, enabling the bill to proceed to the Senate floor shortly after an Agriculture Committee mark-up.

According to Reuters (9/12/07), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) unveiled a plan yesterday to provide up to $10 billion in new funding for two components of a Senate Farm bill - - a disaster trust fund to offset farm and ranch losses not covered by crop insurance and tax credits for preservation work. Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) responded that he may need as much as $20 billion for priorities in his yet-to-be-released farm bill. Harkin stated, "We still have a way to go in these discussions in order to meet crucial needs for strong farm income protection and investments in conservation, nutrition, energy, rural development and specialty crops initiatives." (Emphasis added.) These developments make continued advocacy for funding for nutrition title investments crucial.

“Food Stamp Challenges” Boost Awareness and Support for
Nutrition Program Improvements:
Over the past year, anti-hunger advocates across the country have successfully sparked public awareness surrounding the inadequacy of food stamp allotments by challenging their community leaders to try feeding themselves on food stamp allotments for a few days, a week, or a month. Recently more than 110 Michiganders took the Food Stamp Challenge during Labor Day week, and this week the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) and the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism (RAC) are coordinating efforts across the country and in Washington, D.C. to have leaders and allies eat on a food stamp allotment between Rosh Hash anah and Yom Kippur.

These and other September Food Stamp Challenges being mounted by members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), an elderly advocate in Vermont, and a cross section of people in Wisconsin are boosting prospects for favorable Senate Agriculture Committee action on the nutrition title of the 2007 Farm Bill.

Farm Bill Message and Action Needed:

Messages to Your Senators:

1) Build on the House-passed 2007 Farm Bill nutrition title’s $4 billion in new five-year investments (H.R. 2419) by further strengthening food stamp benefit increases (especially for the minimum monthly benefit and standard deductions), by raising food stamp resource limits significantly, and by restoring food stamp eligibility to more vulnerable groups currently left out.
2) Urge Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-MT) to provide the financing needed to invest in a strong Farm Bill nutrition title.
3) Strongly communicate to Senate leadership that a Farm Bill must pass this year to ensure that much-needed food stamp and nutrition program improvements are enacted.

Strategies/Materials:

• FRAC’s strategies and messages in support of a strong nutrition title of the 2007 Farm Bill.
• For a Food Stamp Challenge toolkit prepared by The Hatcher Group and FRAC and other Challenge information, including links to news clips on recent Food Stamp Challenges across the country, click on toolkit and challenge, respectively. For technical assistance on mounting challenges, contact evollinger@frac.org.
• CRS Summary of Title IV, Nutrition Title of H.R. 2419, Farm, Nutrition and Bioenergy Act of 2007.
• The entire CRS Summary of H.R. 2419, Farm, Nutrition and Bioenergy Act of 2007.
• Farm, Nutrition and Bioenergy Act of 2007, H.R. 2419 (legislative language).

Talking Points:
35 million people in the United States live in households that face a constant struggle against hunger. Hunger is a serious problem in our state/community. Food stamp benefits average only $1 per person per meal; the minimum monthly benefit--most frequently applied to seniors--has been stuck at a mere $10 for 30 years. Our nation can do better. Additionally, a strong nutrition title has historically been essential to passage of a Farm Bill.

Feedback and Technical Assistance:
For feedback, suggestions, or technical assistance, contact evollinger@frac.org or eteller@frac.org at FRAC.

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