As the Republican Party in Congress works on a significant tax bill central to President Donald Trump’s policy agenda, potential changes to the management of food assistance programs are generating concern. The proposal seeks to shift responsibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to state governments, which supporters believe could enhance efficiency and save taxpayers approximately $300 billion.
Wisconsin’s Republican congressional delegation is backing this approach, stating that it will streamline operations. However, critics argue that these changes would ultimately harm vulnerable populations. In Wisconsin alone, about 700,000 individuals, approximately 1 in 8 residents, rely on SNAP for assistance, with a substantial 60% of these families including children, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
The proposed modifications to SNAP under Trump’s ambitious budget plan include the introduction of work requirements and transferring the financial burden of the program to the states, which traditionally has been federally funded. At the recent state Republican Party Convention, Wisconsin’s Republican lawmakers expressed strong support for this extensive tax bill that not only aims to cut Medicaid but also redirects tax policy while funding a border wall.
Representative Derrick Van Orden from Prairie du Chien emphasized that no legally eligible individual receiving SNAP should see a reduction in their benefits, asserting that the changes would eliminate duplicate benefits across states and improve overall efficiency.
In contrast, Alex Jacquez, chief of policy at the progressive think tank Groundwork Collaborative, warned that the proposed changes could impose a financial burden of up to $340 million on Wisconsin, which may lead to a reduction in SNAP recipients as states adjust to the costs. Jacquez argues that this bill serves as a tax cut favoring the wealthy at the expense of low-income families, hinting at a significant overhaul in the program without adequate state budgeting.
The proposed cuts to SNAP would mark the largest in its history, amounting to $300 billion, as estimated by UnidosUS, a Latino advocacy group. As the GOP budget bill faces challenges and potential amendments while moving through Congress, if approved, the SNAP policy changes are expected to take effect in 2028.
While the tax bill presents significant shifts in budget priorities, it remains a contentious issue with strong arguments on both sides regarding its impact on families in need. The future of SNAP rests uncertainly in the balance as legislators navigate their votes.