Key Takeaways
- The Senate parliamentarian ruled against Republican efforts to use budget reconciliation for a state cost-share in SNAP.
- Provisions to cut SNAP benefits for non-citizen immigrants and suspend price support authority were also disallowed.
- Proposed cuts to SNAP could save an estimated $211 billion over ten years, but pushback from Democrats is expected.
Senate Ruling on SNAP Cuts
The Senate parliamentarian has determined that Republicans cannot employ the budget reconciliation process to implement a state cost-share for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This ruling undermines a considerable avenue for spending reductions the legislation aimed to pursue. To impose the state cost-share requirement, the Senate would need to suspend its rules, necessitating bipartisan support to meet the 60-vote threshold.
In addition, the parliamentarian has ruled against proposals to cut SNAP benefits for immigrants lacking citizenship or legal permanent residency. Another proposal to suspend permanent price support authority, a typical provision in farm bills, has also been dismissed.
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.) stated on Saturday, “To rein in federal spending and protect taxpayer dollars, the committee is pursuing meaningful reforms to SNAP to improve efficiency, accountability, and integrity.” He emphasized the pursuit of options that align with Senate rules to derive savings through budget reconciliation, ensuring SNAP aids those in need while being fiscally responsible.
The reconciliation bill’s suggested cuts to SNAP are projected to save approximately $211 billion over a decade, with $67 billion earmarked to boost funding for farm bill programs. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), the agriculture committee’s top Democrat, noted that the parliamentarian clarified that Republicans cannot leverage their budget to shift substantial nutrition assistance costs to the states, which would have led to extensive cuts.
Klobuchar added, “While Republicans’ proposed cuts to SNAP will still be devastating to families, farmers, and independent grocers across the country, we will keep fighting to protect families in need.” She suggested that Republicans should collaborate with Democrats to develop a bipartisan Farm Bill instead of rushing through a partisan approach that does not address the needs of American families.
The Senate’s modifications to SNAP funding have reduced the extent of cost-sharing compared to the House’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed in May. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the House bill’s mandate requiring states to cover at least 5% of SNAP costs could save taxpayers $128 billion over ten years. However, this requirement was projected to cut or eliminate SNAP benefits for around 1.3 million individuals on average each month.
As the debate continues, the future of SNAP funding and potential reforms remain contentious, with Democrats advocating for a more collaborative effort to better serve the nation’s families and agricultural sectors.
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