In the News

he 2018 Farm Bill is in conference committee. Nine senators, including majority leader Mitch McConnell and 47 representatives, will hammer out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. Namely whether to include work requirements for SNAP benefits. Lubbock Congressman and Conferee Jodey Arrington said seven million surplus jobs means there's opportunity to improve the quality of life for SNAP beneficiaries, by getting them off government assistance. "We have millions of able-bodied adults in this country. We are not talking about the vulnerable, the elderly, the disabled or pregnant women. We are talking about able-bodied adults. I have heard the statistics. We have millions and we need to pull them up and out of the welfare trap and dependence on this government," Arrington said. The House's version includes those requirements, the Senate's does not. The House's version passed by two votes, the Senate's with a 30 vote margin. The current Farm Bill expires at the end of this month. http://www.fox34.com/story/39034020/2018-farm-bill-in-conference-committee-house-and-senate-discuss-differences