U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, issued a statement concerning recent advice from the Senate Parliamentarian. The Parliamentarian indicated that certain provisions in the Republican reconciliation bill related to Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry are in violation of the Senate’s Byrd Rule. As a result, these provisions would require a 60-vote threshold if included.
The disputed provisions include shifts in costs to states for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), with states expected to cover an increasing portion based on payment error rates.
Senator Klobuchar commented on the decision: “The Parliamentarian has made clear that Senate Republicans cannot use their partisan budget to shift major nutrition assistance costs to the states that would have inevitably led to major cuts." She further noted her concerns about proposed cuts: "While Republicans’ proposed cuts to SNAP will still be devastating to families, farmers, and independent grocers across the country, we will keep fighting to protect families in need."
Klobuchar urged collaboration rather than partisanship: "Instead of a rushed partisan process, Republicans should work with us to lower costs for Americans and pass a bipartisan Farm Bill that works for all farmers and rural America.”
Further details regarding the provisions ruled against by the Senate Parliamentarian can be accessed online.
