The Senate passed its version of the Farm Bill by a vote of 79 to 14 (roll call vote) on December 14^th. This brightens prospects for enactment of a Farm Bill reauthorization with significant new investments in the Food Stamp Program and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) has indicated his interest in jump starting House/Senate Conference Committee negotiations, with an aim of completing action on a package in early 2008.   

The Senate version of the Farm Bill contains important new investments in the Food Stamp Program and TEFAP, including, among other things:  increasing and then indexing of the Food Stamp Program $10 minimum monthly benefit and standard deductions for households of three or fewer; lifting the cap on the child care deduction; raising food stamp household asset limits and then indexing them (from $2,000 to $3,500 and from $3,000 to $4,500); and boosting TEFAP commodities purchases.

The Senate approval represents welcome news for the many families who face a constant struggle against hunger. Anti-hunger advocates will work hard to secure the strongest possible nutrition title in a House/Senate Conference package and urge its enactment in early 2008.

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Prepared by Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), 1875 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009; 202-986-2200 x3016; www.frac.org