Schneider Statement on Failure of Partisan Farm Bill

Today, Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) released the below statement following the failure of H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 or "Farm Bill" by a vote of 198-213:

"Today, the GOP majority attempted to pass harmful cuts to crucial safety net programs under the guise of the Farm Bill, undermining legislation with a history of bipartisan support. We know that SNAP leads to better health and education outcomes, yet a projected 2 million families would have seen their benefits reduced or eliminated entirely under this cruel legislation.

"I regret that I could not cast my vote against this bill in person today, as I was attending my son's graduation from college."

"Past Congresses have always found common ground in a Farm Bill that offers assistance and security to farmers and needy families alike. We now have a second chance to do the same. In the days ahead, I urge my colleagues in the majority to abandon their hyper-partisan approach and instead work across the aisle to find a constructive way forward to meet our nation's critical agricultural and nutritional needs."

Background:

On Wednesday, May 16, Schneider spoke on the House floor in opposition to the farm bill. Video is available online.

According to an analysis by GovTrack, Schneider missed 0 out of 710 votes last year, earning the best attendance record in the Illinois delegation in 2017.