The news: Congress has temporarily adjourned and left for its Thanksgiving holiday without passing a farm bill, now a year overdue. Packed with subsidies for big agriculture and laying out the short-term agricultural policies across the nation, farm bills have historically been an easy sell in both chambers of Congress.
But this year, House Republicans are drawing the line on funding. They want to make changes that would drop 3.8 million people from food stamps, while Senate Democrats are — to say the least — not very keen on that happening.Food stamp enrollment has risen dramatically since the beginning of the recession in 2009. Fifteen percent of the population was receiving benefits in September, according to federal data, and the average benefits were approximately $133.19 per person.House Republicans want to cut $40 billion in funding over the next decade, which would force approximately 14 million people out by 2023. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) says that the GOP version of the farm bill would prevent "people whose monetary resources are above eligibility standards" from getting "into the program."
i'm still wondering will those republican voters that are affected by everything their party is doing just like Dems are still gung ho to keep that as a standard by still voting against their own interest?
If Congress doesn't pass a farm bill by Jan. 1, very bad things could happen.Like what? $7 milk, if Congress doesn't get its sh*t together.Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says that without a farm bill, the expiration of subsidies could force a doubling of the price of milk (and presumably serious spikes in other dairy products), trigger retaliation in the form of tariff spikes from Brazll, and leave livestock farmers hit by natural disasters without federal relief.Fellow PolicyMic columnist and milk drinker Benjamin Cosman says "The thought of $7 milk makes me poop my pants."Wait, $7 milk!? Don't panic yet. The so-called "Mik Cliff" isn't actually super likely to happen.A crisis-weary Congress is likely to work out some kind of deal. According to American Farm Bureau Federation lobbyist Dale Moore, "Congress is going to get the farm bill resolved … When they get back after Thanksgiving, hopefully, they'll be ready to say: 'Here's what we think we got on the middle ground.'"
you can live without milk but millions can't live without food stamps. if milk or any other product reaches that level of pricing those who can afford will buy if they want it, those who can't won't. those without the food stamps will be deprived of much much more than milk and keep in mind it's the right wing of the congress that like Caesar has the option in their hands as to thumbs up or down on potentially your family or someone you know.
2014 your response to their non response.
