Articles

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL), member of the House Committee on Agriculture, issued the following statement after voting against the House Republican Farm Bill, which passed the committee by a straight party-line vote, 26-20.

“When we began Farm Bill negotiations last September, I approached this process with an open mind and open heart. Knowing the bipartisan nature of the House Committee on Agriculture, I was optimistic that we would craft legislation that would feed hungry families and strengthen the farm safety net. Unfortunately, the bill before us today did not accomplish those goals and did not earn my vote,” said Congresswoman Blunt Rochester. “I left today’s markup with more questions than answers. I have serious concerns about the inflexible work requirements imposed on families receiving SNAP, the untested workforce training bureaucracy, and the cuts to conservation programs. The people of Delaware sent me to Congress to get things done, not pick ideological fights, and if the Majority truly wants to create pathways out of poverty for struggling families, then they must send this bill back through the committee process. This way we can craft a robust workforce training program that gives working families the skills they need to earn a good living in today’s economy.”

###