“Today, I voted in support of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, legislation that is also commonly known as the Farm Bill. This legislation provides critical nutrition assistance to individuals and families who rely on help from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Washington’s Basic Food Employment and Training Program (BFET). Seniors, low-income families, children, veterans, and those with disabilities participate in these programs to help ensure they stay healthy and have access to food. Local food banks across Washington state count on the availability of these benefits to service communities in need.

“I am also pleased that the Conference Report did not include dangerous environmental provisions and harmful changes to SNAP. Congress has a responsibility to ensure that our farm policy supports nutritional assistance for those that are food-insecure, and that farming is done sustainably with minimal harm to the environment. This bill makes meaningful investments in nutrition programs and avoids disastrous cuts to environmental programs that would have taken our farm policy backwards.”