FRAC Chat

Despite strong opposition from Senate and House Democrats — joined by governors, advocates, and constituents across the country — Republican-led changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) moved forward. These provisions, embedded in the reconciliation process that approved President Trump’s and congressional Republicans’ broader fiscal agenda in H.R. 1, prioritize tax breaks for the wealthy while shifting greater burdens onto states and working families. 

Currently, the budget process for fiscal year 2026 is in full swing. We have budget proposals from the White House, House, and Senate. As a discretionary program the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is set through this appropriations process each year. Traditionally, WIC has received the funding needed to serve any eligible people who apply, however, not all of the proposed budget includes the needed funding.

The Senate-passed budget reconciliation bill is now headed back to the House, where a final vote is expected today or tomorrow. Although the Senate version costs slightly less overall, its provisions are more punitive and far-reaching in their harm. Most of the bill’s core provisions remain unchanged. The few amendments made — largely to comply with parliamentary rules or secure enough Republican votes — further underscore the bill’s inequities. Below is an overview of the most consequential changes. A full side-by-side comparison of the House and Senate versions can be found [here].

Annually, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issues a report on the characteristics of households and individuals participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The most recent report released in April provides details about fiscal year 2023 program participants, and critical insights for lawmakers, advocates, and stakeholders, while simultaneously pushing back against harmful narratives that have been perpetuated about households participating in SNAP.

Senate Republicans continue to debate deep cuts to basic needs services as part of a larger plan to fund President Trump’s tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. On Sunday, parliamentary rulings targeted two Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provisions, the measures to shift costs to states and to bar humanitarian-based immigrants from receiving SNAP benefits. On Tuesday, the Senate Agriculture Committee issued a press release incorrectly claiming the parliamentarian had ruled in favor of its updated language to allow its cost shift provision. That release and a related social media post celebrating a GOP “win” were promptly taken down. On Wednesday, the committee released revised language that attempts to comply with procedural requirements but is equally harmful — it keeps the state cost shift with some amendments and exempts other humanitarian-based immigrants. (See table comparison). Whether this amended version will pass muster with the parliamentarian remains to be seen.