Press ReleaseBipartisan2026-04-30

Rep. Sewell Votes NO on Republicans' Partisan Farm Bill that Slashes Food Assistance

Foreign PolicyTradeVeteransAgriculture

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This press release from Representative Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) was published on 2026-04-30 and titled "Rep. Sewell Votes NO on Republicans' Partisan Farm Bill that Slashes Food Assistance". It focuses on foreign policy and touches on trade policy, veterans affairs.

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Rep. Sewell Votes NO on Republicans' Partisan Farm Bill that Slashes Food Assistance

Washington D.C. - Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) voted against H.R. 7567, also known as the Farm Bill, which cements Republicans' $187 billion cut to SNAP - the largest cut to food assistance in history - for the next five years. "Despite our successful efforts to secure provisions that would benefit rural Alabama, House Republicans have made it impossible for me to support this Farm Bill by continuing their cruel cuts to SNAP," said Rep. Sewell. "At a time when so many Alabama families are already struggling with rising grocery costs, I cannot support a bill that would continue take food out of the mouths of hungry children, seniors, and veterans. Moreover, this version of the Farm Bill rubberstamps Trump's reckless tariffs and his war on Iran which are hurting Alabama farmers and contributing to the soaring price of food, energy, fertilizer, and farming equipment." "I hope that my Senate colleagues will remove these cruel cuts to food assistance so that I can support a strong, bipartisan Farm Bill that meets the needs of Alabama's farmers and working families," continued Sewell. Rep. Sewell secured a number of key wins for Alabama, including provisions to: Address Alabama's rural wastewater crisis: Rep. Sewell secured the inclusion of her Rural Decentralized Water Systems Reauthorization Act which she introduced with Rep. Mike Rogers in March. The bill would reauthorize a USDA grant program that Sewell created in the 2018 Farm Bill which provides funding to help low- and middle-income families install or upgrade their wastewater systems in areas where connecting to a municipal line is not feasible. This bill expands eligibility to those making 80% or lower of the Median Non-Metropolitan Household Income (previously 60%). Support Alabama's rural forestry sector: The bill includes Rep. Sewell's SAWMILL Act which will bring more resources for rural forestry processing to Alabama's 7th Congressional District. Strengthen Alabama's Land Grant HBCUs: The Farm Bill expands research funding for 1890 Land Grant institutions and authorizes upgrades to agricultural and food sciences facilities. The bill also reauthorizes scholarships for students at 1890 Land Grant institutions through 2031. Allow greater flexibility for SNAP recipients: Amid Republican efforts to restrict the types of food eligible for purchase by SNAP recipients, Rep. Sewell co-sponsored a provision to allow SNAP recipients to purchase hot rotisserie chickens. The provision was included and passed in the Farm Bill. ###

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Rep. Sewell Votes NO on Republicans' Partisan Farm Bill that Slashes Food Assistance Washington D.C. - Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) voted against H.R. 7567, also known as the Farm Bill, which cements Republicans' $187 billion cut to SNAP - the largest cut to food assistance in history - for the next five years. "Despite our successful efforts to secure provisions that would benefit rural Alabama, House Republicans have made it impossible for me to support this Farm Bill by continuing their cruel cuts to SNAP," said Rep. Sewell. "At a time when so many Alabama families are already struggling with rising grocery costs, I cannot support a bill that would continue take food out of the mouths of hungry children, seniors, and veterans. Moreover, this version of the Farm Bill rubberstamps Trump's reckless tariffs and his war on Iran which are hurting Alabama farmers and contributing to the soaring price of food, energy, fertilizer, and farming equipment." "I hope that my Senate colleagues will remove these cruel cuts to food assistance so that I can support a strong, bipartisan Farm Bill that meets the needs of Alabama's farmers and working families," continued Sewell. Rep. Sewell secured a number of key wins for Alabama, including provisions to: Address Alabama's rural wastewater crisis: Rep. Sewell secured the inclusion of her Rural Decentralized Water Systems Reauthorization Act which she introduced with Rep. Mike Rogers in March. The bill would reauthorize a USDA grant program that Sewell created in the 2018 Farm Bill which provides funding to help low- and middle-income families install or upgrade their wastewater systems in areas where connecting to a municipal line is not feasible. This bill expands eligibility to those making 80% or lower of the Median Non-Metropolitan Household Income (previously 60%). Support Alabama's rural forestry sector: The bill includes Rep. Sewell's SAWMILL Act which will bring more resources for rural forestry processing to Alabama's 7th Congressional District. Strengthen Alabama's Land Grant HBCUs: The Farm Bill expands research funding for 1890 Land Grant institutions and authorizes upgrades to agricultural and food sciences facilities. The bill also reauthorizes scholarships for students at 1890 Land Grant institutions through 2031. Allow greater flexibility for SNAP recipients: Amid Republican efforts to restrict the types of food eligible for purchase by SNAP recipients, Rep. Sewell co-sponsored a provision to allow SNAP recipients to purchase hot rotisserie chickens. The provision was included and passed in the Farm Bill. ###