House-Senate discussions on a new Farm Bill are said to be stuck on dairy policy after negotiators tentatively agreed to about $9 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, over a decade. Key lawmakers began meeting over the holidays and are trying to finalize a bill this month.
First, however, negotiators will have to resolve differences over a proposed dairy supply management plan. Furthermore, negotiations are expected to pare SNAP by changing the way a household’s monthly benefits are calculated, and increasing the threshold at which annual payments from a federal energy assistance program for low-income people can be used as a deduction.