Latest news with #HouseAgriculture
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Van Orden opposes SNAP cuts after voting for Republican budget blueprint
Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) speaks to reporters on the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building following a vote on July 25, 2024 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Tierney L. Cross/Getty Images) U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien) has said he's opposed to Republican efforts to make changes to the federal government's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), more commonly known as food stamps, even though he voted for the Republican-authored federal budget blueprint that calls for more than $200 billion in cuts to programs including SNAP. Despite voting for the budget blueprint, earlier this week Van Orden co-sponsored legislation that states he's against a budget bill that would reduce Medicaid and SNAP benefits. Republicans in the House of Representatives have been searching for $230 billion in budget cuts for their budget reconciliation bill — which also includes a permanent extension of President Donald Trump's 2017 tax cuts. Progress on the bill has stalled as some Republicans have objected to the cuts to popular programs in the blueprint. Van Orden sits on the House Agriculture Committee, which oversees SNAP. The committee has been considering a proposal that would, for the first time, pass some of the cost of operating the program on to the states while also adding work requirements and implementing methods to limit future increases to benefits. Last week, Van Orden walked out of a Republican House Agriculture briefing and yelled an insult at staff, according to Politico. The outlet also reported he raised concerns that the SNAP changes unfairly penalized Wisconsin during a meeting of House Republicans. Democrats said that if Van Orden were really against the cuts, he wouldn't have voted for the budget blueprint. 'If Derrick Van Orden really wanted to save Medicaid and SNAP, he should have voted 'NO' on the Republican budget that cuts both,' Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Spokesperson Justin Chermol said in a statement, He signaled that Democrats will use the blueprint vote against Van Orden in the 2026 election. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Arkansas bill tightening requirements for gas well operators passes House committee
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A bill adding requirements for gas well operator reporting passed its first committee hearing Wednesday after extensive testimony. House Bill 1656 requires gas well operators to provide leaseholders with an itemized accounting. If it becomes law, each deduction from the leaseholder's payment will be accounted for. Arkansas legislature bills filed Tuesday include changes to the Arkansas Constitution, water bonds, human trafficking, more According to the bill's language, deductions not allowed by the agreement between the operator and the leaseholder must be repaid within 30 days. The House Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development Committee heard testimony from well operators and leaseholders. The bill ultimately passed, with five committee members voting against it. Typically, well operators said the additional accounting requirement would lead to wells being shut down, beginning with those that are minimally producing. Leaseholders expressed frustration about payments that deductions by the operator all but wiped out. Back and forth among legislators about Arkansas ACCESS higher education legislation The bill will now return to the House floor for its final vote. If it passes, it will move to the Senate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Despite resistance, strategic water supply secures narrow committee approval
The so-called Strategic Water Supply, a proposal backed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to treat brackish water and oil and gas byproducts for industrial uses, narrowly survived its first committee hearing despite pushback from both environmental advocates and oil and gas industry representatives. In a 5-4 vote, the House Agriculture, Acequias and Water Resources Committee on Tuesday advanced a committee substitute for the proposal, which would cost a total of nearly $108 million. Even among lawmakers who voted for the bill, it was hardly popular. Three of the five lawmakers who cast "yes" votes noted they may not support a similar proposal on the House floor. Rep. Kristina Ortez, D-Taos, the committee chair, said she wanted the bill to continue through the legislative process in hopes it will improve. 'I don't like it. I don't like this bill. I like some components of this bill, and I'd like for it to get better,' she said. This is a developing story and will be updated.
