Klobuchar Slams SNAP Cuts in Republican Proposal
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, criticized the proposed $290 billion cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by House Republicans.
Ranking Member Klobuchar stated, “Instead of working with Democrats to lower costs from President Trump’s across-the-board tariffs, House Republicans have decided to pull the rug out from under families by cutting the SNAP benefits that 42 million Americans rely on to put food on the table – all to fund a tax cut for billionaires. That’s shameful.”
Klobuchar emphasized the severe consequences of these cuts, noting that “This means more seniors, veterans, people with disabilities and children will go to bed hungry. It means farmers, who are already operating on razor-thin margins, will see billions in lost revenue. It will mean job losses and lost wages for everyone who is a part of the food system – from truck drivers to local grocers. And ultimately, these cuts threaten the Farm Bill coalition that has delivered bipartisan support for farmers, families and rural communities for decades, and will make it harder for Congress to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill.”
The Republican proposal includes several key changes:
- Cost Shift to States: The bill proposes shifting tens of billions in SNAP costs to states, which would likely lead to cuts in benefits and eligibility. This includes a base cost shift of 5% of benefit costs, additional shifts based on state error rates, and new requirements for states to cover 75% of administrative costs.
- Stricter Work and Eligibility Requirements: The bill imposes additional restrictions on SNAP benefits, extending work requirements to older adults aged 55-64 and parents with school-aged children. It also limits the USDA’s ability to waive work requirements during economic downturns.
- Limiting Adjustments to SNAP Benefits: The bill restricts the USDA’s ability to adjust SNAP benefits in response to changes in diet and food supply.
- Reducing Benefits for Households with Internet and Utility Costs: The bill removes the ability of households to deduct internet service costs and limits utility cost deductions for those receiving benefits through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Klobuchar warned that these cuts would not only harm SNAP recipients but also have broader economic impacts, including job losses and reduced state and federal tax revenue.