Senate majority leader Tom Daschle (D-So. Dak.) said he will reintroduce the bill after the Christmas recess but that he fears this delay will greatly reduce the amount of money available for these programs, as new federal budget figures are set to be released in light of the current economic downturn. In response, the Bush administration pledged on December 20 that farm subsidies and nutrition programs would not be a victim of any subsequent budget cuts.

The House has already approved its version of the Farm Bill, increasing subsidies to as much as $170 billion over the next five to 10 years. It's unclear if new pressures on the federal budget will lead to a reduction in subsidy allocation before the final language of the bill is approved.

The previous farm bill, the "Freedom to Farm" Act of 1995, had been intended to wean farmers off of federal subsidies, but a series of emergency payments to farmers—totaling more than $90 billion during the life of the act—left many farmers even more dependent on federal supports.

While many are disappointed that approval of the bill is being delayed, Bread for the World is hoping that the pause will give senators like Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) time to enter amendments that will increase food stamp spending and aid to small farmers. On December 11, Lugar introduced an amendment to add $12 billion to food stamps over the next 10 years, but it was defeated.

The current senate proposal (S.1731) allocates $6.2 billion over 10 years in funding for food stamps. The bill passed in the House designates only $3.6 billion. The food stamp program was cut dramatically with the welfare reforms of the 1990s.

Other amendments address the eligibility of legal immigrants to receive food stamps. Currently, adult legal immigrants are not eligible for food stamps unless they arrived in the United States before August 22, 1996. Exceptions are made for the elderly, children, and persons with disabilities.

In a former Senate bill, a competition title was included, which was intended to enforce laws currently on the books to curb the market power of a few large corporate producers. Although that version of the bill was defeated, some elements of the title remain in the currently proposed legislation.

Brother David Andrews, C.S.C., Executive Director of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference (NCRLC), says the current system is in dire need of reform.“The problem is that subsidies are based on production," Andrews says, "so the money is going to the big farmers. We favor a targeted approach that will aid small, family farmers.

"For example, a loan fund that would provide the difference between 'farm-gate' price and market price. We also see a need for limits on the dollar amounts any one entity can receive.”

NCRLC has been working jointly with the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops and a broad coalition of social justice and religious groups to promote legislation that will benefit those who need it most, as well as rewards for farmers who support environmental conservation efforts.

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Network advocates that senators legislate an equitable distribution of farm subsidies along with significant improvements in the food stamp program—including an investment of at least $6.2 billion and the broadest possible restoration of eligibility to legal immigrants—when the Farm Bill is reintroduced in 2002.