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Democrats Blaming Southerland For Farm Bill Failure

Democrats are blaming Florida Congressman Steve Southerland for the failure of a bill renewing subsidies to farmers and food vouchers for the poor.

Southerland’s amendment requiring recipients to show their looking for work, helped tank the bill when it came up for a full House vote. In a conference call, Jackson County Commissioner Jeremy Branch accused Southerland of making a political statement in a typically, a-political bill:

“This is obviously a Tea Party issue," said Branch, who lives in Southerland's district. "Tight scrutiny of aid to the poor is obviously a platform of the Tea Party, and Southerland was a Tea Party Candidate. I’m quite sure he feels he owes his seat to the Tea Party and what they stand for.”    

The work requirement is also a part of Florida’s unemployment system, a change championed by Governor Rick Scott.  Some Congressional Democrats also withheld their support for the Farm Bill because it cuts financing for the food stamp program.

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Lynn Hatter is a Florida A&M University and Florida State University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master's in Professional Communication. Lynn has been with WFSU since 2007 with education and health care issues as her key coverage areas.  She has worked with several organizations, including Kaiser Health News.  Lynn has also partnered with USC-Annenberg's Center for Child Wellbeing on the nationally acclaimed series "Committed," which explored the prevalence of involuntary commitment use on children.
She serves on the board of RTDNA and the United Way of the Big Bend, with previous service on the board of the First Amendment Foundation of Florida.

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