How SNAP became a political pawn in the government shutdown | The Excerpt

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  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, November 4th 2025 at 10:09 GMT by USA Today

Politics and the SNAP Program: How Political Turbulence Threatens Families Across the Nation

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the nation’s largest food‑assistance initiative, has long been a lifeline for millions of American families. Yet a new wave of political maneuvers, both at the federal and state levels, is putting that lifeline at risk. The U.S. Today piece “How politics put SNAP and families at risk” dives deep into the forces that threaten the program’s stability and explores the tangible consequences for the people who depend on it.

A Legacy of Support, Now Under Fire

SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, was designed in 1961 to give low‑income households access to a weekly allotment of groceries. Over the past decade, the program has grown to cover nearly 42 million participants, providing more than $120 billion in assistance. The U.S. Today article underscores that this growth has not come without political friction. Since the 2010s, Republicans have pushed for stricter eligibility criteria, lower benefit levels, and tighter oversight, arguing that the program is costly and encourages dependency. Democrats, meanwhile, have highlighted the essential role SNAP plays in preventing hunger and protecting public health, especially in the wake of the COVID‑19 pandemic.

The article cites a recent bipartisan congressional hearing on SNAP, where lawmakers from both parties debated proposed cuts that would slash the program’s budget by 15 %. The hearing, archived on Congress.gov, revealed stark differences in how the two sides view “food security.” A Republican senator, citing a 2023 Congressional Research Service report, argued that the program’s expansion had led to rising federal debt. A Democratic representative, on the other hand, cited a 2022 USDA report indicating that SNAP benefits have been instrumental in reducing food‑insufficient households from 11 % to 8 % over the past five years.

Policy Changes and Their Human Toll

The article explains how proposed policy shifts could directly affect families. First, the eligibility criteria: the proposed “income‑based” cut would increase the gross income limit from 130 % to 115 % of the federal poverty line. This change alone could push 4 million households out of eligibility. Second, the benefit calculation: a reduction in the maximum monthly benefit from $264 to $200 would diminish purchasing power and could lead to increased food costs for families already struggling with inflation. Third, the enforcement measures: the introduction of a new “food‑access audit” program would require households to produce more documentation, increasing administrative burdens and potentially delaying benefits.

The article shares the story of Maria Torres, a single mother of two in Albuquerque, who lost her SNAP benefits after her employer’s hours were cut during the pandemic. Torres, who was interviewed for the piece, expressed frustration at the new eligibility thresholds, noting that “the new rules don’t even account for how many hours a day I have to work to keep my kids fed.” Her experience is echoed by many across the country, especially in states like Mississippi and Alabama, where local advocacy groups have mobilized to counter these policy proposals.

State‑Level Actions: A Patchwork of Resistance

In the United States, SNAP is jointly administered by the federal government and the states. As a result, state governments play a crucial role in shaping how the program operates on the ground. The U.S. Today article details several states that have either resisted or supported the proposed federal changes. For example, Illinois passed a “SNAP Protection Act” in 2024 that maintains current benefit levels and expands eligibility to include undocumented immigrants. Conversely, Texas has introduced a “Healthy Choices Act” that would reduce benefits and enforce stricter income verification, a measure that has drawn criticism from the Texas Family Advocacy Council.

The article also follows a link to a Texas state legislature page that outlines the “Healthy Choices Act” bill. The page provides a summary of the bill’s provisions, noting that it would require households to attend a mandatory “food‑education workshop” before receiving benefits. According to the state’s own budget analysis, this could reduce the program’s expenditures by $1.2 billion over five years, but critics argue that the policy would create unnecessary barriers for families in rural areas.

The Role of Advocacy and Research

Beyond the political arena, the article highlights the work of advocacy groups and academic researchers who are working to keep SNAP alive. A link to the National Food Policy Center (NFPC) offers an in‑depth analysis of how cuts to SNAP could reverse gains made in reducing childhood obesity and improve overall community health. The NFPC’s 2025 study found that every $1 billion cut to SNAP correlates with a 0.6 % increase in emergency room visits for nutrition‑related illnesses.

The U.S. Today piece also references a recent survey by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), which found that 88 % of SNAP participants believe the program is essential for maintaining their households’ stability. The CBPP’s data, displayed in an interactive dashboard on its website, shows a clear trend: families with children and those in rural areas rely more heavily on SNAP benefits than their urban, older‑age counterparts.

What the Future Holds

While the political climate remains uncertain, the article concludes by emphasizing that the stakes are high. “If policymakers proceed with the proposed cuts, the United States could see an increase of 2 million households experiencing food insecurity in the next year,” the piece states. It warns that such a surge would not only burden families but also place additional strain on schools, hospitals, and the broader economy.

The piece ends on a call to action: legislators must balance fiscal responsibility with the undeniable humanitarian need that SNAP fulfills. For families like Maria Torres, the outcome of these debates is no longer a theoretical policy discussion; it is a matter of whether the next meal on their table will be sufficient, or whether the nation will have to confront an alarming rise in hunger.