The House voted by a surprisingly narrow margin, 220-203, to reject an amendment to the farm bill offered by Representative Edward Royce of California that would have implemented President Barack Obama’s proposed overhaul of US international food assistance. The measure would allow up to 45 percent of funds authorized for US international food assistance to be used in purchasing food in countries other than the United States while reserving 55 percent of authorized funds for purchasing and transporting US agricultural commodities to nations and peoples in need.
An amendment offered by Representative Steve Chabot of Ohio that would have ended funding for the Market Access Program failed.
And an amendment offered by Representative Richard Hudson of North Carolina that would allow states to conduct drug testing of SNAP applicants as a condition for receiving benefits was agreed to by a voice vote.