Senate Republican Bill Poised to Cut SNAP for Over 2 Million Americans, Shift Costs to States

Senate Republicans are moving swiftly to advance a comprehensive legislative package that includes significant reductions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), potentially affecting millions of low-income individuals. The bill, described by its proponents as a means to offset tax cuts and curb spending, aims to reshape federal food assistance. It introduces new state cost-sharing requirements and expands work mandates for beneficiaries.

A central component of the proposed changes involves shifting a portion of SNAP costs to states for the first time. Under the bill, states with payment error rates exceeding six percent would be required to cover between five and fifteen percent of benefit costs starting in fiscal year 2028. This marks a significant departure from the current system, where the federal government fully funds benefits, and seeks to incentivize states to improve program efficiency.

Additionally, the legislation expands work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents, raising the upper age limit from 49 to 64. New mandates would also apply to parents of children as young as 14, who were previously exempt from such requirements. While some exemptions are included for parents of younger children and certain tribal members, critics argue these changes will disproportionately impact vulnerable populations.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that these changes could result in over 2 million fewer people receiving SNAP benefits. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) further projects that more than 5 million people could be at risk of losing at least some food assistance. As Katie Bergh stated in a tweet,

"Senate Republicans are rushing to pass a bill that would take #SNAP food assistance away entirely from millions of low-income people & cut food benefits for millions more."

Republicans defend the measures as necessary to reduce fraud and ensure responsible use of taxpayer dollars. Senator John Boozman (R-Ark.), Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, stated that the approach "encourages states to adopt better practices, reduce error rates, be better stewards of taxpayer dollars." However, the proposals have drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and advocates. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) asserted that Republicans are "doubling-down on shifting costs to states that they simply cannot bear," potentially leading to states cutting benefits.

The SNAP provisions are part of a larger "megabill" primarily focused on making permanent the 2017 tax cuts enacted under former President Donald Trump. While the bill aims to offset its substantial cost through these social safety net reductions, experts describe the proposed cuts as the "biggest ever" to programs for low-income Americans. The legislative push, utilizing the budget reconciliation process to bypass a 60-vote threshold, faces a July 4th deadline amidst ongoing debate and some internal Republican concerns.