Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) was appointed as the Republican Co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, a bipartisan working group that promotes policies beneficial to the economic and environmental health of the Great Lakes region.
Senator Vance will serve alongside Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), the task force’s Democratic Co-Chair. Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) will continue to serve as Vice Chairs.
In a statement released by his office, Senator Vance said that he is “eager to get to work protecting the Great Lakes, which play a vital role in the lives of Ohioans and people all over the Midwest. These lakes support thousands of jobs, billions of dollars of economic activity, and provide a reliable source of drinking water for millions of families.”
Senator Vance replaces Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) as the Republican Co-Chair. Senator Portman retired from Congress at the end of 2022.
Senate Agriculture Committee Holds Hearing on Farm Bill’s Nutrition Title
The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee continued its work on crafting a new Farm Bill by holding a hearing on federal nutrition programs. The Farm Bill, typically reauthorized by Congress every five years, is the main legislative vehicle for most federal agriculture and nutrition programs.
Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) highlighted the successful bipartisan work accomplished in the 2018 Farm Bill – including an increase in the average Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit and the expansion of opportunities and partnerships through the SNAP Employment and Training Program (SNAP E&T). Senator Stabenow expressed her hope that the 2023 Farm Bill will strengthen health outcomes in SNAP via Nutrition Education. Ranking Member John Boozman stated that his goal is to create specific requirements to receive benefits, including work requirements.
To view a recording of the hearing, please visit here.
NEMWI will continue to track Congress' work on the 2023 Farm Bill, including the next hearing focused on the Conservation Title, which will take place on Wednesday, March 1.
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