GOP Budget Plan Slashes SNAP Benefits, Affecting 3.2 Million to Fund Tax Cuts

A significant tax and spending bill approved by U.S. House Republicans could lead to the loss of food assistance for approximately 3.2 million individuals, according to a recent analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The legislation, which passed 215-214 without any Democratic support early Thursday, has been criticized for prioritizing tax breaks for high earners over essential programs for the needy.

The CBO’s report was released in response to a request from Senate and House Agriculture Committee leaders, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Angie Craig, both of Minnesota. Their statement indicates strong concerns regarding the bill’s potential impact on federal food aid programs.

“This report is truly devastating,” Craig stated. “As someone who relied on food assistance as a child, these numbers are heartbreaking. It is infuriating that Republicans would make children go hungry for the sake of tax breaks for the wealthy.”

One of the bill’s key provisions aims to tighten work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This change could exclude single parents with children older than six and raise the minimum age for adults required to comply with these work mandates. The result, according to the CBO, would be a monthly loss of benefits for 3.2 million individuals, including 1.4 million currently benefiting from state waivers.

Ben Nichols, spokesperson for the House Agriculture Committee, defended the proposed changes, emphasizing fairness to those the program is meant to assist. He argued that no benefits would be lost by individuals actively working or engaging in volunteer activities for 20 hours per week.

Additionally, the proposed bill would require states to share costs for SNAP benefits, a significant shift from the current federal funding model. Starting in 2028, states could be responsible for paying between 5% and 25% of these costs, adding an estimated $14 billion annually to state budgets. The CBO indicated that some states might withdraw from the program entirely to mitigate these financial burdens.

The Senate is expected to continue debates on the legislation, likely following similar party lines. Republicans aim to utilize the budget reconciliation process, allowing them to bypass the usual 60-vote threshold for legislation.

During the House debate, Republicans asserted that the proposed reforms would sustain SNAP for those who genuinely need it while addressing costs associated with able-bodied adults unwilling to work. In contrast, Klobuchar condemned the bill, vowing to oppose any cuts to SNAP. “House Republicans are pulling the rug out from under millions of families by taking away federal assistance to put food on the table,” she said, highlighting the exacerbating issue of rising food costs due to tariffs.