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Concerns remain after Senate parliamentarian blocks proposed SNAP cuts

The executive director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry says the Senate parliamentarian’s decision to remove cuts from the Supplemental Nutrition Program out of budget recalculation could help protect access to food assistance.

But, Emily Bryant says the ruling doesn’t eliminate all changes.

“Shifting benefit costs to states risks creating funding gaps that hurt communities or force cuts to food assistance programs,” she says. “The Senate proposal would require $214 million in cuts, so these cuts still threaten to support a program that puts food on the table.”

She tells Brownfield other provisions in the bill could impact how families access program benefits.

“There are still considerations that would create new red tape requirements tied to reporting work hours,” she says. “We need to ensure that benefits taper off so people can increase their wages without losing benefits immediately, giving them a chance to get back on their feet,” she says. “We should modernize the programs and reward work.”

Bryant says the organization is urging Congress to prioritize SNAP funding to ensure rural communities have access to critical nutrition resources.

AUDIO: Emily Bryant, Feeding Indiana’s Hungry