WASHINGTON (AP) -
The House Agriculture Committee is unveiling its approach to a long-term farm and food bill that would reduce spending by some $3.5 billion a year, almost half of that coming from cuts in the federal food stamp program.
The legislative draft put forward Thursday envisions reducing current food stamp spending projections by $1.6 billion a year, four times the amount of cuts incorporated in the farm bill passed by the Senate last month.
It also differs from the Senate bill in creating new federal programs to protect farmers from natural and financial disasters. The committee votes on the bill next week.
Timing for full House action is uncertain.
The two chambers must reach a compromise on the five-year legislation before the current farm bill expires at the end of September.
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