Wednesday, March 20, 2002
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Wednesday, March 20, 2002 |
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Collins Questions Food Stamp Program, Farm Bill Incentives Ag. Secretary questioned on "farming to the program"
In a hearing of the House Budget Committee, U.S. Rep. Mac Collins expressed concerns about the structure of current farm program incentives, while questioning Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman during a budget hearing recently. Collins said he was relaying concerns he hears in the 3rd District of Georgia, which he represents. The district includes Fayette County. "One of the questions asked of me was about the farm bill, and how it is an incentive to farm the program rather than to farm the market," said Collins. As an example of this, Collins told of a farmer who had raised wheat for years, but after a change in the farm subsidies, switched to soy beans because the subsidies for soy beans were more attractive than the market price for wheat. Collins told the secretary that under her leadership, the Department of Agriculture should focus on reform measures that ensure program incentives are driven by the markets, rather than the other way around. Veneman, in her response, said that one of the desired outcomes of the farm bill (HR 2646) "is that it be as market-oriented as possible." Collins also questioned the secretary about how the food stamp program, administered by the USDA, could be enhanced to provide needy seniors better access to prescription drugs. "It has been brought to my attention that an elderly person, who may have a $500, $510, or $520 per month Social Security check coming in that's the only income they have they may be eligible for $10-$15 per month in food stamps. Often times, they will neglect the purchase of prescription drugs because they need to have food. Is there anything you're looking at that could raise that $10-$15 in the areas where people are having to make that choice," Collins asked. "We are looking at, is there a way to streamline and make that program so that it is more helpful to seniors who may be in need of help," answered Veneman. Collins further expressed concern that a family who earns too much to qualify for food stamps often must carefully watch the budget and cannot purchase premium food items, while often those who do qualify for food stamps are eating much better. "How do you explain to a young couple or a young family that people who qualify for federal aid can eat better than a family that is working hard to make ends meet? That they have to buy items that in no way compare with the items being purchased by those on food stamps," Collins added. The hearing was part of the budget process for the fiscal 2003 budget. In the hearing, members of Congress are given the ability to hear more details about the administration's budget requests and to ask questions or make statements relevant to the budget process. The Budget Committee will draft a budget based on the information gathered in these hearings. Collins is a senior member of the Budget Committee.
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