House Republicans are preparing to unveil an annual budget resolution that is expected to propose significant cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This resolution focuses on reducing the deficit without increasing revenues while advocating for more tax cuts. Medicare, Social Security, and military spending are not intended targets, making Medicaid and SNAP vulnerable to proposed reductions.

Proposed SNAP cuts would hurt low income families and undermine the program’s overall effectiveness in addressing food insecurity and poverty. Representative Dusty Johnson along with more than 20 other House Republicans have put forth a bill that would significantly expand the population subject to work and reporting requirements. Adults 50 – 65 years old and families with school-age children who are unable to work or find employment are firmly in the line of fire.

Approximately 10 million people, or 1 in 4 SNAP participants, including 6 million potentially new individuals subject to work requirements and 4 million children in affected families, would be at risk of losing food assistance under this bill. House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington also advocated for stricter work requirements despite evidence that such measures are counterproductive. Budget plans proposed by the Republican Study Committee and former Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought further compound the issue by capping program spending.

Significant cuts made by House Republicans in the 2018 farm bill, along with similar measures pursued by the Trump Administration, inform the political climate around this year’s debate. Proposed SNAP cuts come as food inflation remains high and temporary benefits implemented during the pandemic era expire. SNAP benefits have been reduced by at least $95 per month for 17 million households and average just $6 per person per day.

Despite modest benefit distributions, SNAP remains the most effective tool in combating hunger, reaching over 40 million individuals each month. Research has demonstrated that SNAP reduces food insecurity and is linked to improved health, education, economic outcomes, and lower medical costs for participants.

Some policymakers argue that SNAP‘s spending levels warrant cuts; but it is important to note that SNAP spending is driven by need and the number of eligible individuals applying for assistance. The Congressional Budget Office projects that SNAP spending will decrease this year as temporary COVID-19 relief measures expire and the economy continues its recovery, remaining relatively stable over the next decade.

The primary consequence of proposals that restrict food assistance based on work requirements is an increase in poverty and hardship. Republicans have long sought to expand SNAP‘s work requirements and recent proposals align.