Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, commented on the Senate Parliamentarian’s advice that the agriculture, nutrition, and forestry provisions of the Republican reconciliation bill violate the Senate’s Byrd Rule. Those provisions would be subject to a 60-vote threshold if they’re included in the final bill before a Senate vote. These provisions include cost-shifts to states, which mandates that states cover a portion of SNAP program benefits with the state share escalating with payment error rates.
“The Parliamentarian made clear that Senate Republicans cannot use their partisan budget to shift major nutrition assistance costs to the states, which would have inevitably led to major cuts,” she said. “While the Republican’s proposed cuts to SNAP will still be devastating to families, farmers, and independent grocers, we will keep fighting to protect families in need.” She also said Republicans should work with Democrats to lower costs for all Americans.
