John,

The Senate is preparing to vote this week on its version of the Big Brutal Bill and—like its House counterpart—it’s devastating for nutrition and health care programs for vulnerable communities.

The Senate Agriculture Committee’s portion of the bill will reportedly cut $211 billion from SNAP, which, if passed, would be the largest cut to SNAP in history, as part of a budget package that guts basic needs programs.¹ Millions of Americans are at risk of losing SNAP—and millions more will see benefits reduced, making it harder to put food on the table.

The plan would shift considerable costs to states. The majority of states would have to pay between 5-15% of the cost of SNAP for the first time. This amounts to millions of dollars that most states cannot afford, so it could result in millions of people either being put on waiting lists or denied SNAP benefits altogether.² We are celebrating that the the Senate Parliamentarian—who determines how the Senate can use the budget process to “fast track” legislation—ruled late Friday that the Senate cannot include this radical new proposal as written.³ But there are reports that Senate Republicans are seeking to work around this ruling, so we must continue to speak out against this untenable cost-shift to states along with other deep cuts to SNAP.

We cannot let people go hungry in order to give tax handouts to the wealthy. Send a message to Congress today, urging them to reject drastic cuts to SNAP.

The Senate Agriculture Committee proposal also takes away SNAP benefits from unemployed workers and their whole families through harsher work reporting requirements. For the first time, 2.1 million parents with children over 9 years old in every state are at risk of losing SNAP after just 3 months—which means less food on the table for families with school-aged children in every state.⁴ One in 5 SNAP recipients, including 2.5 million children and 8 million people total, are at risk of losing food assistance under these new “job loss penalties” that will apply to parents and older adults for the first time.⁵ There is no provision for child care when work hours don’t mesh with school hours, and no exemption during the summer. And we know from prior experience with these rules that many people are unable to provide the documentation either to show they are working, or that they are exempt. A study in Connecticut found that people who wound up losing SNAP were likely to have a disability, and did not manage to increase their work.⁶

It’s not too late to change course. Now more than ever, it’s critical that the Senate stop this rushed attack on basic needs and instead act to protect health care, nutrition, and other essential services that help millions of families meet their basic needs. We should strengthen support for these programs—not take them away.  

Send a message to the Senate urging them to reject cuts to SNAP and to strengthen human needs programs.

Thank you for all you do,

Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, CHN Action

P.S. Right now, I am fasting to take part in the #EmptyPlateProtest hunger strike relay, where activists across the country are fasting for 24 hours between now and when Congress goes on its 4th of July recess. Click here to learn more, pledge to fast, and take action to oppose these immoral cuts.

¹ MAZON Slams Senate Reconciliation Text as Dangerous Assault on Food Assistance Programs
² States Would Face New Costs, Likely Enact Harmful Cuts Under Senate Reconciliation Plan
³ Senate Official Rejects Food Aid Cuts Proposed by Republicans in Megabill
⁴ Research Note: Expanded Work Requirements in Senate Agriculture Committee Proposal Would Take Away Food Assistance From Millions: State Estimates
⁵ Millions at Risk of Losing Food Assistance Under Senate Proposal to Expand SNAP’s Work Requirement to Older Adults & Caregivers of Children as Young as 10
⁶ Journal of the American Medical Assn: SNAP Work Requirements Reversal and Program Enrollment