Congressional Negotiators Brokered a Conference Agreement on the FY 2006 Budget Resolution

Congressional negotiators brokered a conference agreement on the FY 2006 Budget Resolution and rushed it through both chambers on April 28th before a weeklong Senate recess (May 2nd through May 9th). Pursuant to the agreement that passed the House by a vote of 214 to 211 and the Senate by a vote of 52 to 47, the Agriculture Committees would be directed to cut programs under their jurisdiction by $3 billion over five years as part of reconciliation legislation due in September.

"The Food Research and Action Center is deeply disappointed that the Congress is passing a budget resolution that in all likelihood will cut food stamps for needy families with children and increase hunger in this country, at the same time that it reduces taxes for the very affluent and increases the deficit. Feeding hungry American children didn't cause the deficit and cutting back on the help they get will not solve it," said FRAC President Jim Weill.

The FY 2006 Budget Resolution Conference Agreement assigns $3 billion/five-year cuts to the Agriculture Committee, putting the Food Stamp Program at risk. Combined efforts of nutrition and farm groups, however, did keep the overall Agriculture Committee reconciliation instruction close to the Senate proposed level of $2.8 billion and below the House proposed level of $5.3 billion. The Budget Resolution also assumes other cuts to domestic spending, including a $10 billion/five-year cut to the Medicaid Program. At the same time, the Budget Resolution assumes over $100 billion in tax cuts (of which $70 billion is subject to fast track budget reconciliation procedures).

For analyses of the budget agreement , check the web sites of the Coalition on Human Needs; Center on Budget and Policy Priorities; and Voices for America's Children.

The final roll call votes on the FY 2006 Budget Resolution are posted at http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll149.xml and here. Earlier on April 28th, by a vote of 228 to 196, the House waived points of order against bringing the Budget Resolution Conference Agreement up under expedited procedures.

Continued advocacy in coming weeks is vital to protect the Food Stamp Program in the upcoming budget reconciliation process as well as during congressional action on reauthorization of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program. The House TANF bill (H.R. 240) proposes a five-state optional food stamp block grant and extraordinary waiver authority.

For recent news articles on the budget fight, see: