WASHINGTON (May 22, 2025) The House of Representatives has passed legislation that severely cuts and alters implementation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other programs that meet people’s basic needs, including Medicaid. SNAP is the largest federal nutrition program in the United States, serving 42 million individuals in need of food assistance. This legislation would make the largest cut to SNAP in the program’s history. The Alliance to End Hunger is deeply opposed to the legislation and urges the Senate to reject the bill.
Among the provisions, the bill shifts SNAP benefit food costs and a larger portion of administrative costs onto states; this would be the first time ever that states would be required to cover the program’s food costs. This transfer would result in benefit cuts, fewer SNAP participants, and/or waiting lists.
The proposed legislation also contains hurtful provisions that would negatively impact individuals and families in need. Restrictions on updates to the Thrifty Food Plan – the basis for benefit amounts – would not allow adjustments to food benefits at a time when many families are experiencing rising grocery bills and would not allow benefit levels to keep up with the rising cost of food and the need to improve nutrition. Further, proposed changes in work requirements will likely decrease the number of people who participate in SNAP, especially for older workers aged 54-65 without children, and parents with children as young as age 7 who are not yet old enough to stay at home alone and with affordable childcare in short supply.
Earlier this week the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the House bill cuts close to $295 billion from SNAP over 10 years – the largest cut in the history of the program.
The legislation now moves to the Senate, where Senators will have the opportunity to provide changes and input to the budget bill. The Alliance to End Hunger urges the Senate to reject devastating cuts to SNAP.
“SNAP cuts passed in the House of Representatives are simply unconscionable,” stated Alliance to End Hunger President Eric Mitchell. “These cuts would strip vital nutrition assistance from families who need it most, making our nation sicker, hungrier, and more vulnerable in an already uncertain economy. The Senate must reject this harmful legislation and protect access to food and healthcare for our most vulnerable neighbors.”
