This was a vote on an amendment by Rep. Laura Richardson (D-CA) that would have increased funding by $10 million for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), which provides food to low-income children, pregnant mothers, and seniors. The amendment would have cut, however, $10 million from an account used to pay the salaries of employees who work for the Farm Service Agency. This amendment was offered to legislation providing annual funding Agriculture Department programs.

Richardson urged support for her amendment: “…Ninety-seven percent of all Commodities Supplemental Food Program recipients are seniors who often receive these as the only fresh food packages that might come to their homes. Many of these seniors have no means of transportation to obtain these products. These seniors also have very limited resources with which to purchase the food that they need….I don't understand why those in the majority would believe that our seniors have caused our budget problems or, worse yet, are able to fix our budget problems….Our seniors deserve our support. They've earned it. Many of our seniors have served our country overseas during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Their bravery and their sacrifices have made America the great country that it is. Our seniors have worked hard all of their lives to provide for their families. It is now our responsibility to help assist them.”

Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA) opposed Richardson’s amendment: “I want to point out that [funding for the] FSA, the Farm Service Agency, is already $181 million below the President's request and $32 million below [the amount allocated in] 2011. It has been trimmed a great deal….I want to point out, and I am sure the gentlewoman knows this, but a senior who is 65 years or older is actually eligible for six different federal food programs, and it would certainly not be our intention to have anybody fall through the cracks. I think there is a lot to be said and some savings in combining the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and the SNAP program [more commonly known as “food stamps”], and maybe cut out some of the administrative costs in order to increase the amount available.”

The House rejected this amendment by a vote of 200-224. Voting “yea” were 169 Democrats—including a majority of progressives—and 31 Republicans. 205 Republicans and 19 Democrats voted “nay.” As a result, the House rejected an amendment that would have increased funding by $10 million for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program—but would have cut $10 million from an account used to pay the salaries of employees who work for the Farm Service Agency.