Both agriculture committees passed their respective versions of the farm bill last week.  The Senate Agriculture Committee’s bill, the “Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013,” cuts $23 billion over 10 years, while the House Agriculture Committee’s bill, the “Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management (FARRM) Act of 2013,” cuts approximately $40 billion.  The biggest difference is the level of cuts for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, the former food stamp program). 

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The House version cuts $20 billion and the Senate cuts $4 billion.  The level of SNAP cuts will be a major issue when the bills are considered by the House and the Senate.  There are also differences in the commodity titles.  The Senate will begin debate on the farm bill this week and the House may consider the farm bill in June.  

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