WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) released the following statement on yesterday’s passage of the 2013 Farm Bill, which authorizes billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded subsidies for the agriculture industry but excludes food stamps. The bill was introduced by the House Majority less than 24 hours before the vote was called and was passed on party lines.
“The farm bill passed by the House yesterday leaves millions of hungry Americans behind while protecting taxpayer subsidies and government-backed insurance for agribusiness. Any deficit reduction effort needs to be measured, smart, and fair. There’s nothing smart about taking food away from hungry children or ignoring the millions of Americans scraping to get by.”