States Warn GOP Tax Bill Expected to Shift Billions in SNAP Costs

A proposed federal budget reconciliation bill, supported by President Donald Trump and passed by the House, would shift billions of dollars in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) costs from the federal government to states, potentially causing tens of thousands of residents in states like Utah and Vermont to lose access to food aid. State officials and local government groups warn that this cost shift is fiscally unsustainable and could force states to reduce SNAP eligibility or even exit the program, exacerbating food insecurity amid already stretched community resources. Anti-hunger advocates emphasize that SNAP is critical, providing nine meals for every one meal offered by food pantries, which are already seeing increased demand post-pandemic. States including Kentucky, North Carolina, Oregon, and Michigan have expressed concerns about lacking resources to absorb the new financial burden, while the USDA supports the administration's agenda and pledges technical assistance. The changes come at a time when consumers are anxious about rising food prices and economic strain, with wage growth failing to keep pace with inflation, further threatening food security for low-income families. These developments highlight the tension between federal efforts to reduce spending on social programs and the increasing need for food assistance among vulnerable populations.