WICHITA — Kansas Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts is working to get a farm bill approved to prove he’s still a viable candidate for 2020.
The Wichita Eagle reports that the 82-year-old survived a primary challenge against a political newcomer in 2014 with less than 50 percent of vote. He then needed a flood of national money to win his general election campaign. The farm bill is crucial because it’s unlikely he’ll be able to avoid another primary challenge in 2020 if he runs.
One of the main points of conflict between the House and Senate versions of the farm bill involves proposed reforms to food stamps, formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
House-passed legislation significantly tightens existing work requirements for aid recipients. But the Senate version makes only modest changes.
