The 2018 Farm Bill passed out of a Senate committee on Thursday by a vote of 20 - 1.
Senators behind the bill say they worked to address concerns raised about the house version of the bill. Critics worried more stringent work requirements for the SNAP program would lead to some elderly and disabled people losing access to food assistance.
US Senator Debbie Stabenow was a bill sponsor.
“So our approach, which is much more responsible and effective, is to provide funding for states to create job training and job opportunities to get people full time into the workplace.”
Stabenow said it is important to use job training as a way to move people towards self-sufficiency. The farm bill would establish permanent funding for SNAP programs that incentivize the purchase of fruits and vegetables.
The bill would also increase funding for researching PFAs - chemical contaminants linked to adverse impacts on human health.
“We have new concerns related to contaminants in the water so we have updated our rural water infrastructure funding to make PFAs contamination and cleanup a priority.”
The bill would increase funding PFAs contamination and research from 35 million dollars a year to 50 million.
The bill also includes grants to increase internet access in rural districts.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to bring the bill before the full Senate before July 4th.