Case Votes Against Agriculture Funding Bill: Impact on Food Assistance and Hawaiʻi Farmers Explored | Maui Now

US Representative Ed Case recently voted against a new agriculture funding bill, expressing concerns over significant cuts to food assistance and rural programs. Case argues that these cuts would harm families and farmers in Hawaiʻi.

The proposed Fiscal Year 2026 bill suggests slashing $1 billion from the current budget. While the bill includes funding for some local priorities, Case couldn’t support it due to the potential negative impacts on vulnerable populations. He emphasized the struggle many families face with rising living costs and food prices.

Among the main cuts, the bill would:

• Decrease funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) by $100.
• Reduce staffing for the Farm Service Agency by $110 million, impacting farmers’ access to federal help.
• Cut funding for natural resource conservation by 5%.
• Slash support for rural housing, water, and wastewater programs.

Case also criticized the elimination of key agriculture programs for Hawaiʻi, such as those supporting geographically disadvantaged farmers and local food production. He further objected to substantial cuts to international food aid, which he believes threaten both humanitarian efforts and national security.

Despite his disagreement, Case managed to secure vital funding for several initiatives in Hawaiʻi, including:

• $216 million for pest control
• $123 million for preventing the Brown Tree Snake from reaching Hawaiʻi
• $36 million for agricultural quarantine inspections
• $15 million for managing minor crop pests

These measures aim to strengthen invasive species protections and ensure continued agricultural research in the region.

As food costs rise, the debate over agricultural funding is more important than ever. According to a recent survey by the USDA, nearly 40% of Americans are concerned about access to nutritious food. This highlights the need for investment in programs that support food security at both local and global levels.

For more details on the bill, you can find a summary here.

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