Rep. Smucker: Farm Bill a Win for Pennsylvania Farmers
On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (the Farm Bill). U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.) voted in favor of the measure, which was approved by a 369-47 vote.
"This bill provides much-needed relief for our hardworking farmers to help them get through tough times," Smucker said. "Under this legislation, these hard workers who feed America will be better able to put food on their own tables, provide for their families and keep their farms up and running – and that's good for our economy and our country."
Agriculture is critical to Pennsylvania's 16th District, which leads the commonwealth in agriculture production. The agriculture industry supports more than 93,000 jobs in the district and contributes $16 billion to Pennsylvania's economy.
Smucker pushed for several priorities which were included in the final bill.
The legislation benefits dairy farmers by increasing the coverage level for the Margin Protection Program (MPP), which provides payments when the margin between the price of milk and the cost of feed fall below a certain level. The MPP also reduces premiums on each farmer's first five million pounds of milk, which covers nearly all dairy producers in Pennsylvania.
Smucker's request of $75 million per year to combat the spotted lanternfly – an invasive species threatening the local economy – was also included in the final measure.
"Agriculture is Pennsylvania's No. 1 industry and thanks to Congressman Smucker's vote in favor of this 5-year Farm Bill we can continue to ensure that the Commonwealth remains a national leader," said House Agriculture Committee Vice Chair Rep. Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-Pa.). "He has been a strong advocate for this important legislation that impacts the lives of everyone in the country."
Crop insurance programs will be protected and preserved under the conference report. The 2018 Farm Bill directs more funding towards education and training programs to put Americans back to work. Reforms to eliminate fraud and abuse of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program were also included in the measure.
The conference report does not include reforms to broaden work requirements for SNAP recipients, a proposal Smucker has vocally supported in the House.
"Unfortunately, the bill which came back from the Senate eliminated key reforms to our SNAP programs," Smucker said. "I hope we will reconsider these ideas. Those are reforms to improve people's lives and help connect them to good-paying jobs – and those are reforms which will still be needed in the future."
The 2018 Farm Bill received widespread support from the farming community in Pennsylvania's 16th District and was endorsed by the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. It now heads to the President for signing.