House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) on Thursday blamed the failure of the GOP’s farm bill on Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
“I’m extremely disappointed that Nancy Pelosi and Democratic leadership have at the last minute chosen to derail years of bipartisan work on the Farm Bill and related reforms. This bill was far from perfect, but the only way to achieve meaningful reform, such as Congressman Southerland’s amendment reforming the food stamp program, was in conference.
“I strongly supported the Southerland amendment which built on successful welfare reforms that have worked in the past to give states more flexibility and encourage self-sufficiency by increasing workforce participation among those enrolled in the SNAP program. I commend Chairman Frank Lucas and the House Agriculture Committee for their efforts, and am sorry that Democrats shamefully chose politics over progress and meaningful reform.”
The Republican legislation, which contained cuts to food and nutrition program that Democrats opposed, failed 234-195 in the House earlier in the day.
Pelosi chastized the GOP for blaming its failure on Democrats, repeatedly calling them amateurs in her weekly press conference shortly after the vote.
