Farm Bill Defeated in House

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The House of Representatives voted down a version of the Farm Bill that passed the Senate last week, USA Today reports. 

The Republican-led house rejected the $500 billion measure by a vote of 195-234. A lack of support from Democrats and Republicans concerned over the size of the cuts to food stamps was an obstacle to passage, according to USA Today.

The failure has disappointed industry groups.

“We felt we had a very strong bill for specialty crops that was supported by members from both sides of the aisle,” said Robert Guenther, United Fresh senior vice president of public policy. “We strongly encourage the House Leadership and the House Agriculture Committee to get back together and bring back to the House floor a bill that can pass before the current extension expires at the end of September.”

The Speciality Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) expressed in a release that it was "deeply disappointed" in the bill's failure to pass.

The House failed to pass a new Farm Bill last year, as well. Lawmakers instead extended the 2008 Farm Bill, which is set to expire on September 30, 2013.

The House is set to take up the farm bill again in July, according to USA Today.