Senate Republicans Seek to Scale Back SNAP Cuts in Trump Tax Bill

Senate Republicans are seeking to scale back the significant cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) proposed by House Republicans as part of President Donald Trump's tax and spending package. While the House plan would impose stricter work requirements on food stamp recipients and shift up to 25% of SNAP costs onto state governments, Senate GOP leaders, including Agriculture Chairman John Boozman, argue this approach is too burdensome for states and intend to exempt states with low payment error rates from the cost-sharing requirements. Additionally, the Senate version plans to delay new SNAP requirements until 2028 and exempt parents of children younger than 10 years old from work mandates, in contrast to the House proposal that applies to parents with children as young as 7. Some Senate Republicans, such as Sen. Jim Justice and Sen. John Cornyn, have expressed concerns about the potential harm to vulnerable populations, including single mothers and low-income families. The Senate’s modifications reflect a cautious approach to balancing fiscal goals with the potential impact on needy families and state budgets. Democrats strongly oppose the cuts, emphasizing the importance of maintaining vital food assistance amid high inflation.