House Republicans Passed a Bill to Take Food Away from Millions of Americans to Pay for Billionaire Tax Breaks
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, released the following statement on House Republicans passing a bill to take food assistance away from at least 3 million Americans by cutting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by over $290 billion.
“Instead of working to lower grocery costs as they promised the American people they would, House Republicans are pulling the rug out from under millions of families by taking away federal assistance to put food on the table. They’re doing that even as President Trump’s tariff taxes raise food prices by more than $200 for the average family, all to fund more tax breaks for the wealthy. That’s so very wrong —and we will fight against it in the Senate,” said Ranking Member Klobuchar.
“This Republican bill will mean more seniors, children, veterans, and people with disabilities go to bed hungry. It means farmers, who are already operating on razor-thin margins made worse by the President’s trade wars, will see billions in lost revenue. It will mean job losses and lower incomes for everyone who is a part of the food system—from truck drivers to local grocers. And ultimately, these cuts will make it harder for Congress to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill by threatening the coalition that has delivered bipartisan support for farmers, families and rural areas for decades.”
Here’s what House Republicans just passed:
Republicans are making states choose between food assistance and other critical priorities: As a part of the bill, House Republicans put forth cost-share proposals that would shift tens of billions in SNAP costs onto states—creating an unfunded mandate that would almost certainly require states to cut benefits and eligibility. The bill contains two major cost shifts. First, a proposal that would require the vast majority of states to cover between 15 and 25 percent of SNAP benefit costs, with the majority of states subject to a 25 percent rate. Second, the bill contains a significant new requirement for states to cover 75 percent of administrative costs. In total, the House bill will shift over $155 billion onto states.
Creating red tape and stricter eligibility requirements: The bill creates additional paperwork requirements and eligibility restrictions on SNAP benefits. Currently, adults ages 18- 54, without children in their household, can receive food benefits for just three months in a three-year period unless they file paperwork showing compliance with a 20-hour-per-week work requirement or proving they qualify for an exemption, such as having a disability. Now, Republicans are seeking to expand these restrictions to older adults ages 55-64. The Republican proposal also extends this time limit to parents with school aged children aged 7-18. The House bill also limits USDA’s ability to give states the flexibility to waive paperwork requirements in areas or times of poor economic conditions. This will take food away from at least 3 million people who are struggling to find steady work in an uncertain economy.
Limiting future adjustments to SNAP benefits to account for changes in diet and food supply: The House Republican bill limits USDA’s ability to adjust SNAP benefits in the future to respond to changes in diet and food supply.
Reducing benefits for households with internet and utility costs: The House bill will reduce the cost of the SNAP benefits by removing the ability of households to deduct the cost of internet service. Republicans are also eliminating a household’s ability to claim a utility cost deduction when they receive benefits through this Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Beyond the immediate impact cuts will have on SNAP recipients, cuts to SNAP benefits will also create downstream economic harms. Last week, the National Grocers Association, which represents America’s independent grocers, released a report that found SNAP funding supports approximately 388,000 jobs and $20 billion in direct wages, creating $4.5 billion in state and federal tax revenue.
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