U.S. Senator from Kansas, Dr. Roger Marshall, questioned witnesses during the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry's hearing on the nutrition programs funded by the Farm Bill.
Senator Marshall pointed out the disparity between the national 20% inflation on food, and the roughly 50% increase to the SNAP program.
Sen. Marshall began his remarks by emphasizing while he wants every person in need to be fed, the increases to SNAP are outpacing inflation,
"I don't want anyone to go hungry, but when we have seven million able-bodied men between the ages of 25 and 45 that aren't working potentially qualifying for SNAP benefits, it just doesn't seem fair. There are many other people at the other end of the spectrum that truly need the help when there are so many open jobs in this nation. I think that it is time to get rid of the waivers."
The second hearing on the 2023 Farm Bill focused on commodity programs, crop insurance, and credit titles. Senator Marshall stressed the importance of the farm safety net programs for not only production agriculture, but also its importance in keeping food affordable for Americans.