Deeply flawed, partisan farm bill fails in the House, but we still need to stay on top of it.

Rep. McSally, explain why taking healthy food away from children is good.

We did it! The deeply flawed, partisan farm bill failed in the House!  Last week, in a 213-198 vote, the House of Representatives voted down a partisan farm bill that rejected the evidence on critical programs and failed to push our food system in the right direction. We still have the chance to build a food system that makes healthy food available to everyone.

The farm bill is our biggest legislative opportunity to build a food system, from farm to fork, that we can be proud of. But the House version would have made it harder for millions to feed their families by imposing misguided work requirements on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps). The bill also failed to support farmers working to protect our water, improve soil health, and build healthy local and regional food systems.

I'm sad to say that Representative McSally voted for this failed bill, rejecting all the evidence that, by lifting millions out of poverty in both rural and urban communities around the country, SNAP works.

Unfortunately, House Speaker Paul Ryan is not giving up yet. With some in Congress threatening to hold a revote on this partisan farm bill by Tuesday, we can't back down. Members of Congress must recommit to writing a better, bipartisan bill—one that makes healthy food available to everyone, gives farmers the tools they need, and protects public health and the environment.

Call Representative McSally today and urge them to send the farm bill back to the drawing board and craft a bipartisan bill that works for farmers, eaters, and all communities.

Call her Tucson office: (520) 881-3588

Or dial (202) 224-3121, and a switchboard operator will connect you directly to your representative’s office. You can use the talking points below.

Defeating this House farm bill is a major victory—and it’s thanks to you. But we have to keep pushing to get a smart, science-based farm bill that works for everyone. Call Representative McSally today!

-Tali Robbins, Union of Concerned Scientists

TALKING POINTS TO GUIDE YOUR CALL

• Hello, my name is [YOUR FULL NAME] and I live in [CITY, STATE]. My zip code is [ZIP CODE].
• I’m calling about the farm bill, H.R. 2. I’m disappointed that Representative McSally voted for this deeply flawed bill, which would have hurt families in our district trying to put food on the table.
• Farmers, eaters, and communities across the country need a smart, science-based farm bill that works for everyone. I urge Representative McSally to go back to the drawing board and write a better, bipartisan farm bill.
• Thanks for your time.