Smith votes for farm bill that separates food stamps

Rep. Jason Smith voted in favor last week of a House farm bill that stripped the food stamp program portion of the bill.

The bill passed the House on a party-line vote Thursday, and House Republican leaders vowed to vote on a food stamp bill separately.

Smith, a Republican representing Missouri's 8th Congressional District, said he supported the bill because it eliminates direct payments, cuts the cost of farm programs and removes food stamps from the bill. Smith said he has "some reservations" about the bill, but removing food stamps from the farm bill is "a key step in changing how Washington does business."

The Senate earlier passed its own version of the farm bill that included food stamp programs, but it was voted down in the House. The House bill awaits Senate consideration.