House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is preparing to reveal his new debt limit negotiating proposal, including measures that would restrict food assistance for millions of low-income Americans. Senate Republicans are skeptical that these measures will survive.

McCarthy‘s proposal aims to expand the age bracket for work requirements in the Supplemental Nutrition Food Assistance Program (SNAP) and close what Republicans perceive as “loopholes” in existing restrictions. Cutting spending on federal food assistance programs has been a long-standing target for Republicans, and they want it to be part of any agreement to raise the debt ceiling later this year. Senate Democrats have declared such measures dead on arrival in the upper chamber, citing previous House GOP efforts in this regard have been successfully blocked.

While top Republican senators acknowledge the intent behind expanding work requirements for SNAP, they are cautious about the proposal’s chances in the Senate. They note that passing such measures would require 60 votes, a challenging threshold to overcome a filibuster. Given the slim majority of the GOP in the House, there is no guarantee that these controversial proposals would even pass in the lower chamber.

McCarthy and his team are facing this reality as they navigate debt ceiling negotiations with the White House while trying to keep their own caucus together. So far, they have avoided providing too many details, preventing key defections within the party. Concerns have been raised by Republicans representing districts won by President Joe Biden in 2020, particularly regarding proposals that would add work requirements for low-income parents with children under 18. These members are under pressure from constituents who oppose further restrictions on SNAP and other key assistance programs following the loss of pandemic-era aid.

At a recent farm bill listening session, farmers, food bank operators, and anti-hunger advocates urged lawmakers to defend and even expand current SNAP programs. They called for easing burdensome work and reporting requirements and warned of a potential “hunger cliff” as families continue to face the consequences of the lingering pandemic. Some Republican lawmakers expressed support for SNAP but emphasized the importance of assisting only the most vulnerable individuals.

While McCarthy is set to unveil his debt limit negotiating proposal, the inclusion of measures restricting food assistance for low-income Americans face skepticism from Senate Republicans. Previous efforts in this regard have been blocked, and passing such measures remains challenging due to the Senate’s filibuster threshold. Moreover, concerns are mounting among Republicans representing districts won by Biden, as constituents oppose further restrictions on SNAP and other assistance programs.