MEDIA CONTACT:
Tamara Hinton, 202.225.0184
tamara.hinton@mail.house.gov
WASHINGTON – Today, Chairman Frank Lucas held a public hearing to review the implementation of state pilot projects under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) of the Agricultural Act of 2014. SNAP is designed primarily to increase the food purchasing power of eligible low-income households to help them buy a nutritional, low-cost diet. One of the reforms in the 2014 Farm Bill included new Employment and Training pilot projects. They allow for up to ten states to develop and test methods to help adults secure employment and job training and reduce their dependency on SNAP. On August 25, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the Request for Applications and Request for Proposals for the pilot projects setting in motion the next phase of implementation.
"It is important to maintain an open line of communication with USDA as it implements the Agricultural Act of 2014. Today’s hearing was a part of that process and I appreciate Secretary Vilsack’s participation and commend his efforts to date. The work pilot projects are a response to a need to help struggling Americans find employment and earn higher wages so they are no longer dependent on federal food assistance. I was encouraged to hear the Secretary is focused on a broad range of projects to help determine the best strategies states can use to help Americans get back to work and off of SNAP. I am hopeful we will soon see a positive outcome as a result of these projects,” said Chairman Frank Lucas.
"The work pilot programs discussed today are an example of the bipartisan, cooperative work the Agriculture Committee does so well. We authorized these pilot projects because we value work and we want to put people back to work. Keeping a close eye on farm bill implementation is a top Committee priority and I welcomed the opportunity to learn more about USDA’s efforts to implement the SNAP work pilot programs," said Ranking Member Collin Peterson.
Written testimony provided by the witness is linked below. The archived webcast is linked here.
Witness List:
Panel I
The Honorable Tom Vilsack, Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.
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