Washington is currently debating the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) which supports 42 million Americans. Under the new proposal from President Donald Trump, called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, changes are proposed for how SNAP is both paid for and managed. Many Democrats and some Republicans who lean towards the middle have raised concerns that the $5 trillion in tax breaks will hurt communities that their constituents rely on.
Shifting SNAP Costs to the States
States do not cover much of the costs to run the SNAP program; most are paid for by the federal government. Under the new bill, each state would be required to fund 5% of the benefits and 75% of the administrative charges. Some argue that moving towards this model could place more demands on cash-strapped countries and might cause aid to decrease or the rules for getting aid to be made stricter.
For countries with a lot of poverty, the higher food prices could compel them to reconsider spending on helping low-income families. States such as Alabama, Mississippi and Oklahoma, where a large portion of people use SNAP, could be strongly affected by the new proposal for fiscal redistribution.
Expanding Work Requirements for SNAP Recipients
The bill also proposes making recipients work longer hours in order to receive benefits. To receive SNAP benefits, 18 to 54-year-olds without personal responsibilities are currently asked to work or take part in training programs for a certain number of hours every week. By increasing the age limit to 64, this new bill means more people would be under the obligation to work.
The measure’s supporters claim it leads to more work and less need for government aid. They argue that it supports the main aims of changing welfare, reducing fraud, and boosting self-reliance in the economy.
Yet, people who oppose such laws believe that these causes are hard to achieve and are not realistic. Many older Americans face age discrimination in hiring or deal with health issues that limit their work options. Forcing this group into compliance with stricter work conditions, they argue, could increase hardship and food insecurity, rather than promote independence.
Cuts Framed as Budgetary Responsibility
The SNAP provisions are included as a cost-saving approach in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The bill’s tax cuts of over $4.9 trillion will help offset the total cost by reducing the amount awarded for Medicaid, green energy, and SNAP. Supporters of the conservative plan argue that only bold cuts will keep the country’s debt down, which has reached $36 trillion.
Mike Johnson, along with other Republican leaders, claims that the new plan ensures fiscal responsibility and returns normal procedures to welfare programs. They feel that transferring expenses and raising expectations for public employees will make government services less complicated and save on expenses they view as unnecessary.
Backlash From Democrats and Advocates
The Democratic Party believes that the modifications to SNAP are harmful and go backward. Chair of the Democratic National Committee, Ken Martin, called the proposal a blow to Americans struggling to buy food. He made it clear that those who benefit from the program are not only unemployed adults but also those who are children’s parents, have disabilities, or earn low wages.
Progressive politicians have mentioned the strange situation where aid for nutrition is being removed while efforts to reduce taxes benefit mainly the wealthy. Many Republicans in districts with high use of SNAP have additionally voiced their concerns, primarily because the cuts could affect those who vote for them more than anyone else.
What’s Next for the Bill?
Four Republicans questioned the cuts in spending and the bill narrowly passed the House Budget Committee by only one vote (17–16). These lawmakers are pushing for changes that allow for immediate implementation of tougher rules and conditions for social welfare.
In the Senate, Republicans are expected to bring forward amendments against the legislation. As public attention mounts and both parties oppose certain parts of it, particularly those changing SNAP and Medicaid, how the bill will change is not certain.
