Bipartisan Agreement on Farm Bill Will Help Millions of Americans Put Food on the Table

December 11, 2018

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, after months of debate and negotiation, the House-Senate Conference Committee reached an agreement on a final version of H.R. 2, the Farm Act (commonly referred to as the farm bill). The final text preserves the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), our nation’s most effective anti-hunger program, that has helped 10 million low-income Latinos put food on the table and lifted millions of Americans out of poverty.

“We are encouraged that the final version of this bill is one that focuses on investing in the future health and economic security of America’s working families—including millions of Latinos—and that not only protects, but strengthens, the SNAP program,” said UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía.

Earlier versions of the farm bill had attempted to include additional and harsh work requirements and changes to eligibility, among others. These added requirements would have discouraged many eligible individuals from accessing this vital nutrition assistance program, in turn impacting their ability to provide for their families’ basic needs.

“We want to thank those Senators who rejected the unnecessary and harsh work requirements which would have impacted millions of working families and their children and call on members of the House to support the current farm bill that presents a lifeline to millions of Americans across the country,” concluded Murguía.