Historic SNAP Cuts Threaten Families, States, and the Future of Food Assistance: House Agriculture Committee Passes Reconciliation Bill Out of Committee
On May 14, the House Agriculture Committee voted 29–25, along party lines, to advance its reconciliation bill, which would slash over $300 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and shifts program benefit costs to state and local governments. See FRAC’s analysis of the bill. Dozens of amendments offered by Democratic members to strip out egregious provisions from the bill were all rejected on party-line votes. See FRAC’s statement and blog on how slashing billions from SNAP will damage the program and shift costs on to already overburdened states.
On Friday, May 16, the House Budget Committee rejected the reconciliation package, 16–21, as conservative, Freedom Caucus Republicans pushed for deeper spending cuts. The House Budget Committee was slated to reconvene Sunday night at 10 p.m. This delays the process and reinforces the need for additional advocacy as Republicans could add deeper cuts to pay for tax cuts for state and local tax deductions (SALT), which is a priority for moderate Republicans in blue states. Budget Committee action is required to move the reconciliation process forward before the House Rules Committee meets to set the terms for the floor debate. Speaker Johnson (R-LA) has announced a goal of House passage before the Memorial Day Recess, slated to begin on May 23.
On the evening of Sunday, May 18, 2025, the House Budget Committee narrowly advanced a budget reconciliation measure that includes an estimated $300 billion cut to SNAP. The vote was 17–16, with all Democrats opposed and four Freedom Caucus Republicans voting “present.”
The House Education and the Workforce Committee reported out its reconciliation bill with no direct cuts to school meals or child nutrition programs — but with devastating cuts to higher education grants and loan programs. Read FRAC’s statement.
Take Action to Protect SNAP
- Use FRAC’s Action Network to send an email message directly to your Members of Congress to urge them to reject any proposals that would weaken SNAP.
- Use FRAC’s social media toolkit to oppose cuts to SNAP and school meals.
Resources to Share
- 2025 Budget Reconciliation: Oppose Cuts to the Federal Food and Nutrition Programs
- Creating a Healthier Future by Protecting and Strengthening the Child Nutrition Programs
- Creating a Healthier Future by Protecting and Strengthening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Fiscal Year 2026 Budget and Appropriations Priorities for Food and Nutrition Programs
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Visit Farm Bill 2025 for all Farm Bill legislation and actions.
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Visit Budget, Reconciliation & Appropriations for all relevant legislation and actions.
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Visit our Healthy School Meals for All (HSMFA) microsite for all HSMFA legislation and actions.
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Visit FRAC’s Bills We’re Supporting page for additional priorities for families struggling against hunger.
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Now is the time to advocate for the protection of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and school meals. SNAP is a vital resource for millions of Americans, while the Community Eligibility Provision supports students, families, and schools. We need your help to ensure these programs remain intact, free from harmful cuts.
Six Key Actions to Take:
- Sign-on Letter – The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) and more than 1,800 national, state, and local organizations from every state in the country signed on to a letter urging Congress to reject any proposals that would cut or weaken the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the child nutrition programs. Use the letter in your advocacy.
- Check out FRAC’s tips on organizing a site visit for your Members of Congress.
- Use FRAC’s state-by-state SNAP fact sheets in your advocacy. Share these powerful quotes on why SNAP matters.
- Explore the state-level impacts of proposed cuts to school meals in FRAC’s new state-by-state CEP fact sheets. Find your state and use our fact sheets in your advocacy.
- Use FRAC’s social media toolkit to oppose cuts to SNAP and school meals.
- Use the FRAC Action Network to email Members of Congress on protecting both SNAP and school meals.
For questions or more information, contact Tim Klipp-Lockhart, tklipp-lockhart@frac.org.
National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference
The National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference, sponsored by the Food Research & Action Center, and in cooperation with the National CACFP Forum, will be held May 4–6, 2025, in Washington, D.C. at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. Over a thousand anti-hunger advocates will join together from across the country to attend content-rich sessions, learn legislative best practices, explore innovative advocacy methods, and form personal connections to help better fight hunger in their communities. Reserve your spot today.
SNAP Matters Rally
On Tuesday, May 6, at 8:30 a.m., join FRAC for a SNAP Matters rally at the Upper Senate Park with several Members of Congress and advocates to highlight the critical role of SNAP and fight back against harmful proposals to cut the program, which serves as our nation’s first line of defense against hunger. During the Conference’s Monday networking lunch, materials will be available to create posters and signs, so start thinking about how you want to design your sign. Participating in the rally is a great way to get energized for your Hill visits that day.
SNAP Matters: Quotes from Participants
SNAP matters. Learn why in FRAC’s new SNAP Matters two-pager, which features quotes from SNAP recipients on the federal nutrition program’s value and importance. Learn why proposed cuts to SNAP would be disastrous for people with low incomes by exploring the testimonials of SNAP participants.
Take Action: Oppose Any Cuts to School Meals
House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX) has put out a list of proposals for budget reconciliation, which includes $12 billion in cuts to school breakfast and lunch. Use the FRAC Action Network to ask your members of Congress to protect school meals and oppose any cuts in reconciliation that would reduce funding and limit access to school meals.
Action Needed: Protect SNAP from Harmful Cuts
SNAP is a vital lifeline for over 42 million people — combating hunger, improving health, and boosting economic well-being. However, GOP leadership is proposing billions of dollars of cuts to the program that would worsen food insecurity and health outcomes and strain local economies. Use the FRAC Action Network to urge your Members of Congress to vote against SNAP cuts.
Budget Reconciliation 101
Curious about Budget Reconciliation? Unsure about the process or special rules to look out for? Explore this three-page report that explains what you need to know.
Sign Up for the FRAC Action Network!
Urge your Representatives to support and strengthen the Federal Nutrition Programs. Learn about the latest opportunities for action by signing up for the FRAC Action Network. Hungry people can’t wait.
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Recent Publications & Data
See More Resources- Fact Sheet
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the nation’s first line of defense against hunger, helping 42.6 million people in the U.S. put food on the table. As food insecurity and food prices continue increasing, protecting and strengthening SNAP is more important than ever. Discover SNAP’s impact across the U.S. in FRAC’s national SNAP fact sheet.
Discover SNAP's Impact - Fact Sheet
The federal nutrition programs are a critical support for tens of millions of households — helping them put food on the table during times of need. Investing in hunger prevention and relief also makes smart fiscal sense. Find budget and appropriations priorities for SNAP, child nutrition programs, TEFAP, older adults nutrition programs, FDPIR, and more in FRAC’s 2025 budget and appropriations leave behind for the National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference.
Download the leave behind - Fact Sheet
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps over 42 million participants put food on the table each month, supporting food security, improving health outcomes, and boosting academic performance. Congress should again protect SNAP’s structure and funding. Learn about bills that would strengthen SNAP in FRAC’s 2025 SNAP leave behind for the National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference.
Download the leave behind - Fact Sheet
Food insecurity is rising – cutting SNAP will make a bad situation worse in every community across the nation. Use FRAC’s 2025 Budget Reconciliation leave behind in your advocacy.
Download the leave behind
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Local leaders from across the country — including Ohio, Massachusetts, California, and Texas — are sounding the alarm about the dire consequences of proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These mayors, city councilmembers, and municipal officials stress that SNAP is not just a safety net for vulnerable residents — it’s a critical economic driver and stabilizing force for entire communities.
House Agriculture Republicans advanced a damaging budget reconciliation bill this week on a party-line vote of 29–25, including an estimated $300 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over the next decade. These cuts follow demands from President Trump for a “big, beautiful bill” — one that prioritizes billionaires and Wall Street over working families and local communities.
Summer EBT, in conjunction with the traditional summer meals programs, provides key nutrition support to children from households with low incomes when school is out, by providing families with approximately $120 on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card per summer per eligible child to help with food costs during the summer months. Summer EBT is a method proven to decrease food insecurity and improve nutrition. This summer, 37 states and the District of Columbia, five territories, and five Tribal organizations have opted to participate in the program.