Rep. Huffman Votes for Farm Bill

December 12, 2018

Washington, D.C.- Today, Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) voted for the Conference Report on H.R. 2, better known as the Farm Bill, which overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 369 to 47.

 The Farm Bill that was voted on today reflects substantial changes negotiated between the House and Senate that protect access to nutrition assistance, support conservation, local foods, rural development, and farming opportunities.

 “This bipartisan Farm Bill delivers on several key North Coast priorities, including preserving nutrition assistance benefits for struggling families, supporting our local farmers, and providing more resources for rural broadband. For these reasons, I ultimately voted for this legislation,” said Rep. Huffman. “Unfortunately, in many ways, this bill is a missed opportunity. It fails to address hunger security in our communities, does nothing to reform subsidies and crop insurance, and comes up short in handling the threat that climate change poses to agricultural economies and rural communities. In the future, I am committed to fighting for a better Farm Bill that works for our farmers and families while advancing environmental stewardship.” 

 Unlike the Farm Bill that passed the House earlier this year, this bill avoids the most damaging environmental provisions proposed by House Republicans and does not contain attacks on the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act, and excludes harmful and sweeping forestry provisions. This Farm Bill also excludes dangerous provisions that would decrease access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for millions of America’s working families.