House Ag Dem: Nutrition title got ‘visceral reaction’

One of the more moderate Democrats on the House Agriculture Committee, California Rep. Jimmy Panetta, says he wants to see the details of Chairman Mike Conaway's draft farm bill before taking a position on its nutrition provisions.

But he confirmed to Agri-Pulse that the outline of the nutrition title that committee members previewed provoked a "visceral reaction" among his Democratic colleagues. As we've reported, the bill would expand the number of people enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program who are subject to work requirements. The savings from imposing those restrictions would be put into employment and training programs.

The committee's top Democrat, Collin Peterson of Minnesota, said the bill won't have Democratic support in its current form. Panetta, who represents California's Central Coast, including the Salinas Valley, says he believes Conaway will "work hard to make sure" the farm bill has bipartisan support.