Senate Passes Harmful SNAP Changes After Workaround

Senate Passes Harmful SNAP Changes After Workaround

July 1, 2025—Today, the Senate passed their version of the reconciliation bill that would make unprecedented cuts to SNAP and other crucial programs. 

This update comes after the Senate made adjustments to the proposal passed earlier in the House. Under this new proposal, some of the costs associated with SNAP benefits would shift from the federal government to individual states. 

That means starting in a few years, states may have to pay a portion of SNAP benefits themselves. While some states could be exempt if they meet certain technical requirements, most will need to make significant changes to their budgets to prepare—putting other state-funded supports for families at risk. 

The budget package also eliminates funding for SNAP-Ed, the largest nutrition education program in the country. SNAP-Ed supports cooking classes, healthy eating programs, and other wellness initiatives in under-resourced communities. Under the Senate’s plan, many of the free nutrition programs that support working families would lose federal support.

While these changes to SNAP will not take effect immediately, their long-term impact will be deeply felt. In addition to burdening families with more obstacles to get basic groceries, such deep cuts threaten the long-term viability of SNAP itself. The Senate bill is blatantly jeopardizing a program that supports millions of people putting food on the table.

At FoodCorps, we are deeply concerned about how these changes might affect children’s ability to access the nutritious food they need to thrive. Changing access to SNAP could disenroll millions of kids from the free school meals that keep them fueled and focused through the week. 

“When programs like SNAP are weakened, entire communities feel the effects,” said Ashanti Lewis, Director of Federal Government Relations at FoodCorps. “Families face harder choices, schools see greater need, and local organizations are left to fill widening gaps. These policy changes risk undermining the stability that helps children and communities thrive.”

Despite changes in procedure, the likely outcome of this process remains the same: critical food assistance could become harder to access, particularly in under-resourced states.

We know that federal budgeting is complex, but we cannot lose sight of the real impact these decisions have on our communities. As the bill returns to the House, we’re continuing to monitor developments and working with partners to ensure that the voices of families, schools, and communities are heard. Thank you for joining us to advocate for kids’ well-being. 

About FoodCorps
FoodCorps is a national nonprofit advancing child well-being through food in school. FoodCorps partners with students, families, and communities to champion nourishing food at local, state, and national levels. Our members support schools in providing nutritious meals, locally-informed food education, and welcoming school environments that set kids up for positive, vibrant relationships with food. Building on this program, we develop leaders, grow networks, and advocate for policies in service of every kid’s health and well-being. FoodCorps is working toward a world where, by 2030, all 50 million public school students have access to food education and nourishing meals in school. Learn more at www.foodcorps.org.

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