Senator Hassan Statement on Bipartisan Farm Bill Agreement that Includes Critical Priorities for New Hampshire

WASHINGTON – Senator Maggie Hassan issued the following statement after the final bill text for the bipartisan Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 was released -  also known as the “Farm Bill.” The legislation includes critical support for New Hampshire’s agricultural industry and helps prevent Granite Staters from going hungry. The legislation also makes vital investments in the State’s rural communities and water infrastructure, and helps support efforts to combat the devastating fentanyl, heroin, and opioid epidemic.

“This bipartisan agreement provides critical support to our agriculture industry in New Hampshire, which is central to the strength and vitality of our economy,” Senator Hassan said. “In addition to supporting our dairy farmers and helping prevent Granite Staters from going hungry, this bipartisan bill makes important investments in our rural communities by expanding access to broadband, strengthening our water infrastructure, and bolstering telemedicine to help combat the deadly opioid epidemic. I will keep pushing to get this bill signed into law without delay.”

For more information on the bill, click here.

See below for critical New Hampshire priorities included in the bipartisan Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018: 

• Reauthorizes the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC), which supports economic development projects in rural communities.
• Helps prevent Granite Staters from going hungry by avoiding harmful cuts to benefits and eligibility changes for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
• Supports New Hampshire’s dairy farmers through improved coverage options and providing refunds in premiums paid to USDA from 2015-2017.
• Expands access to broadband in rural communities by providing new grants to target underserved areas. This will help close the urban-rural digital divide that has persisted for far too long. The bill increases rural broadband by $325 million per year.
• Helps combat the opioid crisis by expanding telemedicine and strengthening treatment options for those struggling with substance misuse.
• Strengthens water infrastructure and helps ensure that all Granite Staters have access to clean, safe drinking water. The bill also increases funding to the Emergency and Imminent Community Water Assistance Grant Program (ECWAG). 

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