EBT Benefits SNAP 2025

Republican Senators Fear the House Bill Could Severely Impact State Finances and Demand a Thorough Review

The Republican-led mega bill approved by the House of Representatives is facing new turbulence in the Senate, not only because of its overall fiscal impact: the reform of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or Food Stamps) has become a major point of contention that could derail the initiative.

Although the Senate debate was expected to focus on fiscal issues, several senators have raised concerns about how the proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could affect their states’ finances. In particular, there is concern over the proposal to shift part of the program’s costs—currently fully funded by the federal government—to the states themselves.

“It’s something that some members are concerned about. So we’re going to have to address that,” warned John Boozman (R-AR), chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, when asked about his colleagues’ concerns. Boozman also noted that several senators want to examine in detail how these policies will affect their individual states.

For his part, John Hoeven (R-ND) acknowledged the uncertainty: “We’ll see. I’m not sure what’s going to happen with that. We’ll talk to the committee members who can speak to our group as a whole.” Hoeven added that the House proposal goes “beyond” what some senators had been seeking in terms of “accountability efforts.”

What Changes Does the SNAP Reform Propose?

The SNAP program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and managed locally by the states, is the largest food assistance program in the country. Through an EBT card, eligible families can purchase food at authorized retailers. The amount they receive depends on factors such as income and household size.

The House proposal introduces major changes, such as:

• Requiring states to cover part of the cost of SNAP, which proponents argue would incentivize a more “efficient and effective” management.
• Preventing future administrations from increasing SNAP benefits beyond inflation, to stop what they describe as the Biden Administration’s “illegal overreach.”
• Increasing work requirements: raising the age limit from 54 to 64, limiting exemptions to caregivers of children under 7, and restricting unemployment-related exemptions.
• Banning states from “manipulating” geographic areas or artificially inflating benefits through nominal energy payments.
• Reversing Biden Administration rules that, according to Republicans, inflated benefits through excessive utility deductions.
• Restricting benefits for undocumented immigrants.
• Eliminating the SNAP-Ed nutrition education program, which is considered duplicative and ineffective.

The Beginning of the End for SNAP As We Know It?

The debate over the future of SNAP is no small matter: it is an essential program for millions of U.S. households, and any changes to its funding structure could have dramatic consequences for food security among the most vulnerable families.

As the Senate prepares to debate the mega bill, the big question is whether the SNAP reform will become the breaking point for Republicans, or if they will manage to reach a consensus that keeps both the program and the party’s ambitious legislative agenda afloat.