House Democrats announced their opposition to further cuts in SNAP on Wednesday amid signs the farm bill will be the next battlefront over work requirements for safety net programs. “We stand united against efforts to take food away from children, families, or any vulnerable American — in the farm bill or any legislation,” said Rep. David Scott, the senior Democrat on the Agriculture Committee, in the opening minutes of a hearing on the “modernization” of SNAP.
Agriculture Committee chair Glenn Thompson complained of fraud in the food stamp program, suggested too many people participate in USDA nutrition programs, and said SNAP should promote healthy eating. Angela Rachidi of the conservative-leaning American Enterprise Institute called for “commonsense restrictions on SNAP purchases,” including a soda ban.
Congress expanded the age range of able-bodied adults subject to SNAP work requirements in the debt limit law enacted last week. During a news conference, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy twice said, “Let’s get the rest of the work requirements.”
The debt ceiling legislation limits able-bodied adults without dependents, known as ABAWDs, ages 18 to 55 to 90 days of SNAP benefits in a three-year period unless they work at least 80 hours a month. Until now, the age restriction applied to ABAWDs was 18 to 50 years. South Dakota Rep. Dusty Johnson, an Agriculture Committee member, has filed a bill to expand the work requirement to age 65.
“I just want to say we are going to fight like hell against any cuts to this program that will increase hunger in this country,” said Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern, a Democrat and a stalwart SNAP advocate. “I have a red line too: Cut SNAP, you make more people in this country hungry, then we are against this farm bill. We will fight against this farm bill.”
Thompson said one in four Americans participates in USDA food and nutrition assistance programs — a statistic that apparently includes the school lunch program — before concluding, “It’s time to redefine success.” The chair said he wanted legislation “that moves people forward while meeting their dietary and financial needs. … My goal is preservation for those truly in need.”
SNAP accounts for $4 of every $5 in farm bill outlays. Some 42.5 million people were enrolled in SNAP at latest count, with benefits of $6 a day per person.
The Agriculture Committee hearing on “opportunities for modernization” was the first time the committee focused on SNAP since an April 28, 2022, hearing, according to committee records. There was a subcommittee hearing on SNAP last June 8.
Republicans and Democrats took potshots on Wednesday about the depth of each other’s interest in SNAP and in improving the welfare of recipients.
“No more PPP — punishing poor people,” said North Carolina Rep. Alma Adams, a Democrat.
“I absolutely support the work requirements we sought to add” to the debt limit bill, said Georgia Rep. Austin Scott, a Republican. “We’re not talking about senior citizens.” Scott said it was time to look at SNAP rules, including allowing recipients to buy snack foods. “I’m not sure that’s good,” he said.
It’s estimated that the expansion of work requirements will affect 750,000 older ABAWDS, with perhaps one-third of them becoming ineligible for SNAP. The debt law removed the work requirements for ABAWDs who are military veterans or homeless. Young adults up to age 24 who “age out” of foster care also will be exempt from the requirement.
To watch a video of the hearing or to read the written testimony of witnesses, click here.