A coalition of 21 state attorneys general sent a formal letter to U.S. Senate leadership, urging lawmakers to restore Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and protections in the upcoming Farm Bill. The group is asking the Senate to reject food assistance cuts originally passed in the House version of the bill and previous federal legislation.

Impact on Vulnerable Populations

The attorneys general argue that recent policy changes are hurting vulnerable populations and creating an unsustainable financial burden for local governments. According to the letter, the cuts enacted over the last year represent the largest reductions to food assistance in modern history.

National tracking data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities shows that nationwide SNAP participation has dropped by more than 3.5 million people—nearly 9%—over the past year. The impact varies by state, but the decline is widespread: 38 states have seen SNAP participation drop by 5% or more, and 13 states have experienced drops of 10% or more.

Structural Shift in Funding Obligations

The prosecutors also raised alarms over a structural shift in funding obligations. Under the House-passed rules, states are required to shoulder billions of dollars in new administrative and cost-sharing expenses. The letter warns that these financial demands are so severe that some states may have to choose between raising taxes, cutting essential public services, or withdrawing from the SNAP program entirely.

The coalition explicitly called on the Senate to use the Farm Bill to reverse the expansion of work requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD), eliminate new cost-sharing mandates on states, and protect benefit levels for seniors, children, veterans, and low-income workers.

Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.